Healthy Smiles

Dental health is an important part of whole body health. We talked to Dr. Derek Cornetta, a dentist at Eric George, DMD & Associates, about how they put patients at ease and help them maintain healthy smiles.

How do you go the extra mile to make patients comfortable and relaxed?
At Eric George, DMD & Associates, we understand that nearly half of the American population avoids dental care as a direct result of anxiety and fear. We truly believe that dentistry doesn’t have to be scary and we have an exceptional, compassionate team that will help to put you at ease from the moment you step foot inside the office.

The truth is that dentistry today is not nearly as difficult or painful as it once was, especially with the help of the cutting-edge dental technology utilized here at our practice. In fact, most patients now find their dental visit to be a relatively comfortable, positive experience overall. If needed, we offer several different levels of sedation to help ease anxiety and get patients the treatment that they truly need.

How does good dental hygiene promote health?
Helping patients get the dental care that they need is now more important than ever – we now know that good dental hygiene can not only help prevent bad breath, cavities, and gum disease, but good oral health can also aid in overall health. Numerous scientific studies published over the past several years have proven that a person’s oral health has a significant impact on his or her overall health. This is what dentists and physicians refer to as the oral-systemic link. The inflammation and bacteria associated with periodontal (gum) disease have been linked to six out of the seven leading causes of death in the United States, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease and Alzheimer’s disease. There is excellent peer-reviewed literature showing that the same pathogenic bacteria that are causally related to gum disease are also uniquely linked to coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

What can we do at home to maintain healthy, clean mouths?
To help protect your oral health and your overall health it is important to practice good oral hygiene every day. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings, and contact Eric M George, DMD and Associates soon as an oral health problem arises.

Eric George, DMD & Associates
121 Sandy Bottom Road, Coventry
401-822-3352