Dr. Mia Fitzgerald is a proud member of the Wellness Dentistry Network, an online community of dentists that focus their practice on treating the individual as a whole, with their oral and overall health in mind. The Wellness Dentistry Network provides dentists with the knowledge, resources and tools necessary to provide patients with treatment and care that is considered beyond standard dental care (i.e., treating a cavity or another single dental symptom). Dentists like Dr. Fitzgerald view the mouth as the gateway to the body’s health. As a member of the Wellness Dentistry Network, Dr. Fitzgerald is continuously learning about the latest practices and technologies that help patients live happier, healthier lives.
What Is Wellness Dentistry?
The relationship between oral health and overall health (known as the mouth-body connection) has been established by numerous studies. It’s been proven that the bacteria in the mouth can spread to the rest of the body, causing an array of systemic diseases and problems, including heart disease and stroke. Conversely, it’s been found that individuals with certain systemic diseases like diabetes have a higher risk of developing gum disease and other oral health problems.
Given the growing body of evidence surrounding the mouth-body connection, dentists have begun to play an important role in total health and wellness. Dentists like Dr. Fitzgerald use only dental materials proven to be safe and that have no adverse effects on the body (e.g., metal-free materials), and advanced diagnostic tools that provide enhanced planning and treatment.
Continuous Learning and Training for Your Oral Health and Wellbeing
As part of the Wellness Dentistry Network, Dr. Fitzgerald and our team are continuously learning about the connections between your oral health and overall health. This includes learning information about factors that have been proven to impact oral health and overall health, including nutrition, exercise, lifestyle habits (i.e., smoking, bruxism).
We also regularly upgrade our technology and equipment to better diagnose problems. Among our most innovative tools is oral DNA testing to detect bacteria present in the mouth and determine your risk for certain health problems. Diagnostic tools like these help us better identify diseases earlier as well as educate and guide you as you make decisions regarding your oral health care. Being a part of the Wellness Dentistry Network also gives us the opportunity to work with world-class specialists that we refer our patients to whenever necessary. These specialists share our values and have your best interests in mind.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fitzgerald, please call or email our Sudbury dental practice today.
