Whole Health and Dentistry

More and more dentists are focusing on the whole health of their patients. “We are frequently the practitioner who sees a patient more often than their MD,” says Dr. Denine Rice, one of your Top Dentists in the Inland Empire. This means that often you will find your dentist checking your blood pressure and making recommendations based on their findings. This also means that your dentist will be well versed in how to live a whole life.

a.     Diet: “Eating fresh vegetables and fruit, and maintaining balance is the key,” says Dr. Rice from her Riverside PeriodontalPractice. “Eating foods as close to their natural form is best.”

b.     Exercise: “Find the exercise that you can maintain and enjoy over a lifetime, whether that be walking or swimming. Exercise is an important element of whole body health,” adds Dr. Rice. 

c.      Stress reduction: “Meditation is a great stress reducer, as are breathing exercises. No one appreciates stress in their lives, but there are ways to control the impact it has on your body.” 

d.     See your dentist: “Seeing your dentist on a routine basis is good for your overall health, as the mouth is a window into what is occurring elsewhere in your body,” says Dr. Rice. According to WebMD (link is: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oral-health-the-mouth-body-connection) a patient with serious gum disease often has a more chronic condition as well. “These days more and more physicians and dentists are working together to fight disease and help give patients whole health.”

If it has been a while since your dentist has seen you, now is the time to call and schedule an appointment.