Did you know a person’s oral health is an indicator of one’s overall health, and the absence of good oral health can have an adverse impact on the rest of the body? At the St. Louis Dental Center, our dentists, hygienists, and dental students encourage patients to learn more about the connection between oral health and overall health.
If your gums bleed easily, you may have swelling of the gums (gingivitis) or gum disease (periodontitis) caused by bacteria. If the bacteria associated with gum disease enters your bloodstream, it can affect your heart, kidneys, and other organs, causing potentially serious systematic infections. Additionally, recent research studies have found possible links between gum disease and low birth weight babies, as well as Alzheimer’s disease.
Bad breath can be due to smoking or forgetting to brush your teeth; however, it can also signal something more concerning. It may simply reflect poor dental habits or it can be an indicator of more serious health concerns, such as dental infections and even some types of cancer and metabolic diseases.
You may think tooth pain is due to biting something hard like popcorn but if the pain continues, it may be a tooth fracture, extensive dental decay or an abscess. Painful back teeth can indicate a sinus infection which can be treated by a decongestant or antibiotic.
If you have not seen a dentist, please schedule an appointment to be evaluated. Permanent tooth stains, broken teeth, bleeding gums or mouth sores can be signs to get your attention about other medical problems.
Everyone should see a dentist routinely to maintain oral health. The St. Louis Dental Center welcomes children and parents to visit our team to begin a life-long habit of excellent oral healthcare. If you or your child has never had an examination, it is important for you to start now to ensure a healthy mouth and body and maintain excellent oral hygiene habits.
Located in the Lafayette Square neighborhood, our St. Louis Dental Center team provides affordable dental care to patients of all ages in a state-of-the-art facility. We are a community health center created by A. T. Still University-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) in an innovative partnership with Affinia Healthcare.
We work with other affiliated health centers within our community, and our dental students are involved in more than 500 “work-weeks” or 16,000 hours at external sites serving the underserved. With our outreach program at ATSU-MOSDOH, students spread oral health literacy and participate in dental screening, preventive, interceptive, and urgent dental care in 32 events annually.
Our Dentures for Veterans program provides free oral healthcare to qualified veterans in St. Louis and Dexter, Missouri, where some veterans drive for hundreds of miles to receive dental treatment. Our faculty and students, some of whom are veterans themselves, enjoy the smiles of those patients who were not able to receive care previously due to lack of finances or access to dental services.
The St. Louis Dental Center provides a home for all patients. We offer a bilingual staff, interpretation services for non-English speaking patients, and a wheelchair recliner/lift for limited mobility patients, and those who have disabilities or are obese. I am proud and grateful to work with so many dedicated professionals who provide access to care for underserved populations.
We are here to address your urgent and comprehensive dental needs. To schedule an appointment, please call (314) 833-2700, or if you have an urgent need, please come in between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Dr. Dwight McLeod is dean of A.T. Still University – Missouri School of Oral & Dental Health and director of the St. Louis Dental Center.
