Roots: Connecting Earth Day, Spring, and Your Dental Health

April 3rd, 2025
By: Dr. Hema Patel

 Me: What topic should I write on that connects spring and Earth Day with dentistry?

My son: Roots
Me: Why roots?
My son: Trees and plants have roots and so do teeth
So here I am trying to write a blog article about roots! Please do send me feedback on how well me asking my teen for ideas translated into something you want to learn about in dentistry 🙂
Here goes: I have discussed with all our patients and my team about “root cause” and why it is important to educate ourselves and our patients on this. As a new dental school graduate, many, many years ago, I was frustrated with doing treatment that would later fail even though I knew that it wasn’t due to my lack of skills. As I looked back over those cases, I started seeing a clearer picture that I wasn’t the only factor in this equation and that what was happening with the patient and their mouth/body had a bigger impact than the quality of my dental work. Yes, the patient came in with a broken tooth and we did a beautiful crown for him but then he cracked the crown -so did we first understand the root cause for why he broke the tooth in the first place? It turned out that it was because he had a traumatic bite that put a heavy load on that tooth and that he should have first had his teeth aligned to balance his biting forces and then made a crown at this new, more stable bite.
Root cause examples: Did you know there is a link for gum disease and diabetes, heart health, Alzheimer’s and many more? Or that having a soft diet as a toddler can lead to ADHD/bed-wetting/doing poorly in school in children due to under-developed jaws? Or that missing teeth are linked to early onset dementia? There are bacteria that hijack your immune system and may be the reason that you are chronically ill and these bacteria can be traced back to your mouth. Why do I, your dentist, care about how well you are sleeping? ( I know you love filling out all those screening forms we give you 🙂 – but I promise you they are important)! Snoring and sleep apnea could be the reason your blood pressure keeps rising and your BP medications are not working so well but also may be the reason for your dry mouth, cavities and/or your gum disease.
Th practice of medicine is changing for the better in the sense that we are treating the whole person and not just their teeth or whatever body part that healthcare provider works with. We partner with the patient and other specialists (cardiologists, sleep doctors, nutritionists, lactation consultants etc) to ensure long-lasting improvements or prevention of disease in our patients’ health. The examples of root causes I gave above have scientific explanations and we are happy to share these with our patients. For instance, how does a soft diet in early childhood cause under-developed jaws? The skeletal structure (jaws) relies on the muscles working to stimulate their growth so if the child is fed pureed foods instead of transitioning to table foods early, they lack that stimulation and will have narrower jaws. The narrow jaws will in turn impact tongue positioning further back into their throat creating a smaller airway and lesser oxygenation during sleep. This oxygen depravation to the brain and other vital organs creates chronic health issues like ADHD.
I encourage everyone to look at their bodies in a more wholistic way  – that each part affects the others and to not be putting a bandage on any health issue but find out what the root cause may be and treat that. It could be something as simple as breathing through your nose and not your mouth could help prevent cavities and other health problems! We are here to help you on this journey towards a healthier you.
Be well and thrive,
Dr. Patel

 

 

Senior Oral Health: Why It Matters for Overall Wellbeing

March 5th, 2025
By: Dr. Hema Patel

 

Senior Oral Health: Why It Matters for Overall Wellbeing

As we age, our bodies go through various changes, and many times, oral health can take a backseat. However, the state of our mouths directly impacts our overall health, making it crucial to maintain dental care at every stage of life. At Wisteria Dental Care in Germantown, we are passionate about helping seniors live healthier lives through personalized dental care that considers the body as a whole.

Why I Care About Senior Oral Health

My parents, who are in their late 70s, live with me, and I’ve seen firsthand how aging impacts their health and their ability to navigate the healthcare system. They sometimes get confused about medical advice, leading to misunderstandings and poorer health outcomes. Luckily, my sisters and I are able to support them by attending appointments and following up to ensure they understand what’s been discussed or advised.

As a dentist, I’ve seen many seniors neglect their dental health, thinking that because they don’t have many years left, there’s no need to address issues like tooth decay or gum disease. But the truth is, poor oral health can lead to serious complications, affecting not just the mouth, but also the heart, lungs, and even the brain. Issues with chewing, speaking, and smiling can also decrease quality of life, making it harder for seniors to enjoy their daily routines.

The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Health

Research has shown that oral health and general health are deeply connected. Dental issues like gum disease can contribute to chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. By maintaining good oral health, seniors can reduce their risk of these complications, helping them live a fuller, healthier life. This is why we focus on treating the whole person, considering how oral health changes throughout life.

At Wisteria Dental Care, we go beyond just fixing teeth: we love to listen to the stories and incredible life experiences that our senior patients share and offer dental care that is customized to their needs. We’re not only here for their routine checkups but also to help manage dental problems that affect their daily life and overall well-being.

Helpful Tips for Seniors and Caregivers

If you care for a senior loved one, here are a few dental tips to help maintain oral health and prevent issues:

  1. Dry Mouth: A common symptom in seniors, dry mouth can also be a side effect of many medications. This condition leads to a higher risk of cavities and gum disease. Encourage sipping water throughout the day to keep the mouth hydrated and wash away plaque and bacteria. There are also over-the-counter sprays, rinses, lozenges available to help with severe dry mouth like Moisyn, Xlear, Xylimelts. 
  2. Root Caries: As gums recede with age, the roots of teeth become exposed, making them more prone to decay. Unlike cavities on the top part of teeth, exposed roots are harder to clean,  softer and decay more easily. Encourage your loved one to reduce sticky snacks like crackers and rinse the mouth with water after meals to reduce plaque buildup.
  3. Dexterity Challenges: Many seniors experience arthritis or other conditions that make it difficult to care for their teeth properly. Home dental care may require extra assistance from caregivers. In these cases, more frequent professional dental cleanings and the use of tools like water flossers or interdental brushes can make a significant difference.
  4. Minimally Invasive Treatments: Seniors with health concerns or limited ability to sit for long dental procedures may benefit from less invasive treatment options. For example, Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a quick, paint-on medication that can arrest decay without the need for drilling and filling. We also offer custom-made trays for delivering gel medication to combat gum disease.

Let Us Help Your Senior Community Thrive

At Wisteria Dental Care, we would love to serve the senior members of our community. Whether they need routine dental care or have specific dental concerns, we are here to help. One of our core values is investing in the health of our community, which is why we offer presentations and dental screenings for senior living communities. 

Let us support you or your loved ones in maintaining their smiles and overall health as they age. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to schedule a visit.

Wishing you and your loved ones good health,

Dr. Patel and the Wisteria Dental Care Team

 

Happy New Year!

January 13th, 2025
by: Dr. Hema Patel

 

Happy New Year Wisteria Dental Care Family!

Hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and 2025 has started off to a great start.

Our Team works on their vision boards at the beginning of each year to give us clarity and purpose. For this year, I chose my guiding word as “relationships”. I want to build more meaningful relationships with my family, at work and beyond. 2024 was a very challenging year for me personally. As some of you may have known, I was diagnosed with breast cancer last July and have been undergoing treatment over the last several months. We were fortunate to have Dr. Schwartz step in for me to take over patient care. My amazing Team went above and beyond in ensuring that our patients, the practice and I were taken care of and I am so very thankful for them.

I have been so blessed with the love, care and support I have been shown by my children, family, friends, team, patients, peers and my wonderful care team at Johns Hopkins. With so much time on my hands, it got me thinking about what is truly  important in this life and ultimately, it is the people around you. With that in mind, I am going to be more intentional in the way I spend my time with my loved ones; be more present in the moment with whoever I am interacting with; make new connections but also strengthen old ones with mutual trust and respect; making kindness the basis for how I treat others and myself.

I encourage each of you to find your word for 2025 to help guide you to a more meaningful life. We welcome you to share it with us if you feel comfortable to do so.

On that note: this is a reminder that optimal health makes it easier to do all those things that you plan for the days ahead – so please eat healthy, exercise, get good sleep, practice mindfulness and make relationships that feed your soul. (Also, do not procrastinate on those doctor visits/tests that can prevent or catch disease early as it did for me!)

Here is to a healthier, happier and wonderful 2025!

Be well and thank you for being in my life,

Hema (Dr. Patel)