Dr. Leah Romay is a practitioner of functional dentistry, a more systemic, whole-body approach to your oral health. Functional dentistry goes beyond typical dental care, considering the many factors impacting oral health. These include diet, lifestyle, airway health, and your unique oral microbiome. Together, these factors significantly affect how your oral health can be maintained, as well as risk factors that can affect you.
The Whole Health Functional Dentistry Approach Entails So Much More Than Basic Dental Care
Using a Functional Dentistry approach, Dr. Romay works with patients individually to establish and maintain complete oral health that serves overall health and wellness. Through this diagnostic approach to care, our team can help you better understand your oral health and find personalized solutions to concerns. We can offer nutritional guidance and work with you to discover the root cause of chronic dental problems, from decay to gum disease.
Oral Microbiome Analysis
The bacteria in our mouths can tell us a lot about how our oral health functions and provide clues to physical health. Dr. Romay provides microbiome testing for patients to delve deeper into their oral health and support more personalized dental care.
Performed with ease either at home or in our office, microbiome testing is the foundation of the Functional Dentistry approach to caring for your smile. With each test, we can see the specific types of bacteria present in your mouth. Good and bad bacteria are present and we measure the concentration of both. The top benefits of analyzing your oral microbiome include:
- Understanding the concentration of good and bad bacteria in your mouth will help us determine which diseases you have or have a high risk of developing. You may not have symptoms for them yet, but we can see diseases present, such as tooth decay and gum disease.
- Knowing the makeup of your oral microbiome, Dr. Romay can create a personalized treatment plan to meet your needs better. This makes it more effective at preventing and treating oral diseases.
- With an in-depth look at your oral microbiome, Dr. Romay can help reveal your susceptibility to certain conditions. If you have an imbalance or the presence of certain bacteria, she can take certain measures to help prevent problems before they worsen or develop.
- Analyzing your microbiome after treatment will help Dr. Romay determine the procedure’s success. It will help her know if she needs to adjust your treatment plan or if you are on the right path toward a healthier oral state.
- The bacteria in your mouth are linked to systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Romay can provide clues about your overall health so that you can seek further care when needed.
Nutrition Guidance
What you eat plays a significant role in your oral and overall health. A diet high in added sugars, acidic foods, or highly processed carbs can impact your health in many ways. Your diet interacts with your unique microbiome and can affect your risk for oral health problems and other types of disease.
Dr. Romay can offer guidance based on your microbiome testing, educating you on what foods contain vitamins and minerals important for supporting your health and wellness. Based on her findings, she may suggest adding certain foods to your diet (or removing them) that will add certain vitamins and minerals.
- Food that is high in fiber, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If you are lacking, it can lead to saliva production issues. Saliva helps protect teeth by rinsing food and acid away.
- Dr. Romay may suggest that you add food that is high in calcium to your diet. Milk, yogurt, cheese, tofu, and leafy greens are high in calcium, giving your teeth strength and supporting the surrounding bone.
- Phosphorus in eggs, fish, lean meat, dairy, nuts, and beans supports enamel repair. It plays a vital role in your dental health.
- Healthy fruits and vegetables that are also crunchy will help keep your teeth clean, freshen your breath, and stimulate your gums. We suggest apples, carrots, and celery.
- Vitamin C is key to strengthening gums and soft tissue in your mouth. Keeping your gums healthy will help prevent gingivitis, the beginning stage of gum disease. Foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, potatoes, and spinach.
- Green and black teas contain polyphenols, which will kill or hold back the bacteria found in plaque. This prevents the bacteria from producing acid, which leads to tooth decay.
- Sometimes, it’s as simple as reminding patients of the importance of drinking water. Water often keeps your mouth moist and helps wash away food particles and bacteria. Dr. Romay reminds her patients to drink more water and avoid sugary drinks, which contribute to tooth decay.
- Today’s diet is loaded with sugar and refined carbohydrates. Dr. Romay suggests lowering your intake of snacks, drinks, breakfast cereals, and treats that are filled with sugar and carbohydrates. This will decrease your risk of tooth decay since plaque thrives on these types of foods.
Airway Health
The structure and health of your airway can affect many aspects of your health and quality of life. Functional dentistry incorporates airway health into your comprehensive dental care to support good sleep, effective breathing, and optimal systemic health. During your dental exams, Dr. Romay evaluates your airway and will ask questions about your sleep quality. Your physical structure can compromise the airway, specifically your bite and palate, neck circumference, and soft tissues in the throat.
Patients with airway problems can experience sleep apnea, disordered sleep problems, and other symptoms affecting daily quality of life. Dr. Romay will also look for oral signs of consistent mouth breathing, a symptom of airway issues. Persistent bad breath is a sign of mouth breathing and can indicate a potential airway concern.
Functional Dentistry FAQs
With functional dentistry, we are interested in how oral health impacts the whole body. Read the answers to these frequently asked questions to learn more.
How does functional dentistry differ from traditional dentistry?
Traditional dentistry often focuses on treating dental problems as they arise, while functional dentistry takes a more proactive and holistic approach. Functional dentists aim to prevent issues by addressing the underlying causes of oral health problems, such as diet, stress, and overall wellness. They also use biocompatible materials and consider the impact of dental treatments on the entire body.
What are biocompatible materials in functional dentistry?
Biocompatible materials are substances used in dental treatments that are safe and non-toxic to the body. Functional dentists prefer these materials for fillings, crowns, and other restorations because they reduce the risk of allergic reactions or adverse effects, promoting overall health and well-being.
How does functional dentistry approach prevention?
Functional dentistry emphasizes the importance of preventing dental issues before they start. This includes regular dental checkups, cleanings, education on good oral hygiene practices, and dietary and lifestyle recommendations to support healthy teeth and gums.
What role does diet play in functional dentistry?
Diet plays a significant role in functional dentistry because nutrition directly impacts oral health. Functional dentists often recommend a diet rich in whole foods, vitamins, and minerals to strengthen teeth and gums while avoiding sugary and processed foods that can lead to cavities and gum disease.
How does functional dentistry approach oral health and gut health?
Functional dentistry recognizes the close connection between oral and gut health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to an imbalance in oral bacteria, which can affect the digestive system. Functional dentists often provide guidance on maintaining both oral and gut health through a balanced diet and proper oral care.
How do I know if functional dentistry is right for me?
Functional dentistry is ideal for individuals who want a holistic approach to dental care and are interested in prevention, biocompatible materials, and overall wellness. If you have concerns about traditional dental treatments or want to focus on the connection between oral and general health, functional dentistry might be the right choice.
Dr. Romay practices Functional Dentistry in Glyndon, MD. Call today or request an appointment with Dr. Romay if you are interested in this style of dental care.