Integrative Health Blog

Tom Baldwin DDS

According to the World Health Organization and the United States Surgeon General, one of the top chronic diseases of mankind is periodontal disease, or gum disease. This disease is important for several reasons. It is the number one cause of loss of teeth, and the main function of teeth is to allow us to eat a good diet with lots of fiber. Without teeth, our pathway to optimal health is severely compromised. Periodontal disease is also one of the main direct contributors to heart disease and stroke.

Periodontal disease is caused by an infection, usually bacterial in nature. The loss of bone supporting the teeth, loose teeth, and health problems like heart disease are responses of the body to this infection. So, here at NIHA we attack the cause of periodontal disease, and help to correct the whole body health problems or responses.

Classic treatment of periodontal disease, as well as the recommendations dentists make for the prevention of this disease, has not worked well in the past because these approaches do not deal with the cause of the problem. Dentists traditionally have treated the responses of the body, or symptoms, and not the cause. Our treatment for periodontal disease is less painful, less costly, and less disfiguring than the classical approaches, and treatment may be more effective.

How is your periodontal health? Your tooth and gum health affects your overall health status, not just how great your smile looks. Please give me a call at NIHA at 202-232-7000 and we can set up an appointment to discuss your individual situation.

Thomas Baldwin, DDS, is a biological dentist at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, a leading integrative medicine and dental center in Washington, D.C. Dr. Baldwin treats all aspects of biological dentistry and specializes in holistic, biocompatible periodontal therapy.