Contact us to receive your free copy of The Three Secrets for Finding the Ideal Cosmetic Dentist. We can also schedule you for an appointment at our Fairfax County practice, also serving the Arlington, Virginia area, to learn more about implant dentistry from our cosmetic dentist.
D. Gordon Rye, D.D.S., P.C.
10614 Warwick Ave.
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: 888.822.3394
Fax: 703.591.9408
Arlington and Fairfax County, Virginia — Implant Dentistry by Our Cosmetic Dentist
At Rye Smiles for Life, we are dedicated to helping our patients live life to the fullest. Therefore, we are concerned not only with dental health but with the relationship of dental health to the overall health and well-being of our patients. Modern medicine has demonstrated the connection between dental health and overall health, and with the knowledge and technology at our fingertips today dentists are capable of doing more than improving smiles; they can assist in improvements to overall health of their patients. With that in mind, we have collected information on this page to explain the many ways that exceptional dentistry relates to overall health.
Many people do not know that the health of their teeth and gums can affect their overall health. Not only is periodontal (gum) disease a risk factor for many common health conditions, but those with poor general health tend to have more dental problems as well. Patients from Arlington and throughout Fairfax County, Virginia, can trust in the skill of our cosmetic dentist, D. Gordon Rye, to determine if implant dentistry, periodontal care, or other dental procedures can help them achieve optimum health.
- Oral Health Linked to Overall Health
- Keeping Your Mouth Healthy
- Implant Dentistry to Maintain Dental Health
Oral Health Linked to Overall Health
Recent studies show a link between the health of teeth and gums and overall health. The following are some of the most common conditions linked to oral health.
Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Studies show that people with gum disease have a higher risk for other diseases, such as diabetes, heart and lung disease, and cancer. It has also been shown that pregnant women who have gum disease are three to five times more likely to deliver premature. There are also many diseases and health conditions that can make periodontal problems worse. Regular appointments at our Fairfax County practice with cosmetic dentist D. Gordon Rye will help ensure that gums stay healthy. And if signs of gum disease do develop, such as red, swollen, or bleeding gums, Dr. Rye can make sure that patients receive proper treatment so that further health problems do not develop.
Heart Disease and Stroke
Research shows that people with periodontal disease are more likely to have heart disease than those with healthy gums. Periodontal disease has also been shown to make existing heart conditions worse. Some studies indicate that periodontal disease may be a risk factor for stroke, as well.
Diabetes
For people with diabetes, periodontal disease makes it harder to regulate blood sugar levels, and in turn, poorly managed blood sugar levels make periodontal problems worse. For this reason, patients who have diabetes should let Dr. Rye know about any changes in their health at every appointment.
Respiratory Disease
Periodontal disease is a risk factor for respiratory disease, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and those with the condition tend to have diminished oral health.
Cancer
Cancer treatment can cause oral infections that can lead to other health problems. For patients being treated for cancer, it is important to let Dr. Rye know so that he can provide proper treatment.
It is important to have regular professional cleanings and examinations to protect dental health. If you live in Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County and Arlington, contact cosmetic dentist D. Gordon Rye to schedule an appointment for your examination.
Oral DNA Saliva Diagnosis
A simple DNA test can now determine the specific type and quantity of disease-causing bacteria in your mouth! These bacteria, if left untreated, can cause periodontal disease, tooth loss, and also affect your risk for developing other systemic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes (among others). This test is for anyone with or without symptoms of gingivitis or periodontal disease. These symptoms include: bleeding gums, bad breath, red or inflamed gums or loss of bone around your teeth. Other indications for this test would be prior to extensive dental procedures and in some cases, surgical clearance (such as heart surgery or joint replacements).
This gentle oral rinse procedure is performed by swishing a small amount of sterile saline throughout the mouth and can be done in about 30 seconds. The sample is then sent to OralDNA Labs, Inc. for processing. The lab report that we get back will identify the bacteria associated with the gum infection and allow us to develop a far more powerful and effective treatment plan. Through this state-of-the-art technology, we are now able to treat the cause of the infection and not just the symptoms. The goal of therapy then becomes to reduce your overall bacterial risk for disease progression. As with most diseases, earlier treatment and targeted treatment can help stop periodontal disease before irreversible damage occurs.
In addition to this bacterial DNA test, we can also offer you a genetic susceptibility test that will tell us if your genetic makeup puts you at greater risk for developing gum tissue infections (due to an exaggerated immune response). This will further enable us to optimize your therapy and recare program.
If you or a loved one is in need of these tests, please let us know.
Oral HPV Saliva Diagnosis
Early detection of some high risk HPV viruses can lead to early detection of oral cancer. When it comes to cancer, there's no question that early detection is critical. Most oral HPV infections do not cause cancer, but oral HPV infections, especially those that are high risk types, are cause for concern and need to be monitored. Now there's an easy way to see whether you have a virus strongly linked to oral and throat cancer that can be performed right in our office. The test is for the oral human papilloma virus, which is sexually transmitted and can cause oral or throat cancer. The test detects one of two particularly dangerous forms of HPV -- known as 16 and 18 -- long before the virus develops into cancer and creates lesions. The test is safe, easy and painless; the patient gargles a special saltwater solution for 30 seconds, then spits into a tube. The tube and contents are then sent away for testing.
The oral HPV virus does not show any classic signs. Sometimes there will be a papilloma or wart and visual examination does not necessarily show the presence of the virus, sometimes there will be a sore that won't heal. The risk factors for deciding on an HPV test include smoking and use of tobacco, oral sex practices, and family history of oral cancer.
If you or a loved one is in need of these tests, please let us know.
Keeping the Mouth Healthy
Maintaining a healthy mouth involves three steps: brushing, flossing, and regular professional care. At Rye Smiles for Life, we are dedicated to maintaining our patients’ dental health so that they can live life to its fullest. Regular exams at our practice include a full evaluation of periodontal health, as well as an oral cancer screening so that we can treat potential problems before they cause further health issues. If we do find sores or lesions that may be cancerous, we test them quickly and easily with the OralCDx® brush biopsy. By finding and treating oral cancer early, we can often eliminate the cancer before it becomes a threat.
Patients who are being treated for a serious medical condition, such as cancer or diabetes, must notify Dr. Rye so that he can provide proper care. Contact Rye Smiles for Life in Fairfax County to meet with cosmetic dentist D. Gordon Rye for a dental health check-up.
Implant Dentistry to Maintain Dental Health
When one or more teeth are missing, it can cause the surrounding teeth to drift out of place and lead to a host of problems, including TMJ disorder and periodontal disease. New advances in implant dentistry make it possible to restore health and function to a mouth with missing teeth. Patients travel from Arlington and throughout Virginia for the implant dentistry expertise of cosmetic dentist D. Gordon Rye.
Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically implanted into the jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root. Once the jawbone has had time to fuse to the implant, a natural-looking artificial tooth is placed on the implant and the process is complete. The dental implant and artificial tooth fill in the gap left by a missing tooth, maintaining structure and support for the entire mouth. Dr. Rye has extensive experience and training in implant dentistry, and as one of the premiere cosmetic dentists in the region, he always creates restorations that look and function naturally.
Don’t let missing teeth ruin your dental health. If you live in Northern Virginia, including Arlington, contact Dr. Rye to learn about how implant dentistry can help you live life to its fullest.
Contact Our Fairfax County Cosmetic Dentist
Dr. Rye is committed to making sure you stay healthy by keeping your mouth healthy and free from disease. If you live in Fairfax County or the Arlington, Virginia area, contact our cosmetic dentist to learn more about implant dentistry and other oral health solutions.