Mouth-Body Connection: Not all dentistry is equal

Biting into Healthcare with Dr Miguel Stanley

In this episode, I discuss the need to distinguish between individuals with good oral health and minimal dental work, and those with extensive dental treatments, which may contribute to systemic health issues. Not all dental care is created equal, and there are significant gaps in diagnostic techniques within the field. Many patients may be unaware of chronic inflammation in their mouths, which can go undetected for years due to these gaps and a lack of standardized diagnostic tools in dentistry.
It's crucial to shift our perspective on the oral biome and the connection between oral health and overall health. Educating the public is essential; people with healthy teeth and minimal dental work generally face lower health risks. However, those with poor dental health and extensive treatments may need a comprehensive diagnostic overhaul, utilizing advanced techniques like 3D CBCT scans.
For this reason, we developed an artificial intelligence tool that scans panoramic x-rays to detect hidden inflammation (see more at https://www.missinglink.ai/). This innovation aims to identify issues that, once confirmed by CBCT scans, can lead to the necessary medical interventions.
It's important to note that chronic oral inflammation is directly linked to over 22 noncommunicable diseases that can severely affect our lives. Awareness and education about these connections are vital to improving health outcomes.