SL_AlphaDentalExcellence_1_19_Profile 1 / 15 / 19 11 : 56 AM Page 1 D PROFILE Rooted in Care Dr . Arpan Patel and the team at Alpha Dental Excellence help patients achieve healthy gums — the foundations of great smiles . by DANIEL SEAN KAYE | photography by JODY ROBINSON Dental care is crucial , but too is referred to as “ functional dentistry , ” Dr . Patel infection ] and it seldom gets into the blood - often it is seen as an afterthought , especially explains this by posing the question , “ What stream , but it can . I know we are going to find to adults . After years of focusing on dental can be done to help the patient function ? ” more and more links [ between oral and sys - health and hygiene during childhood , many The third and final phase lays out what temic health ] as we keep researching . ” people get lax or even lazy about oral health each patient has in mind in terms of appear - Learning to Combat as they age . To exemplify , how many people ance — “ That is , ” Dr . Patel says , “ what does A patient’s first line of defense , according to floss only before an annual visit to the dentist ? the patient want aesthetically ? ” Dr . Patel , is a general dentist . Yet , while a One major aspect of oral care that is often When examining soft - tissue management , general or family dental practitioner can help neglected is gum health , which not only has a Dr . Patel looks at three main scenarios . If there a patient address certain issues , marked impact on the mouth such as inflamed gums or tartar but also on the body’s overall buildup , patients need to be com - systemic health . For those reasons , mitted to oral health in order to among others , people need to enjoy tangible , long - term results . put more focus on periodontal To better help patients under - health , according to Arpan Patel , stand what has happened or is D.M.D . , owner of the Langhorne - happening to their mouth , as well based practice Alpha Dental Ex - as how to make things healthier cellence . for the long term , Dr . Patel and Periodontal disease , which his team at Alpha Dental Excel - occurs when bacterial growth in lence are dedicated to seeking the mouth negatively impacts the out and implementing new ways gums , generally falls into two cat - to support patient health . egories:gingivitis and periodontitis . Alpha Dental Excellence Gingivitis is characterized by red , strives to go “ above and beyond ” swollen , tender gums and bad are indications of gingivitis but no blood loss , for patients , offering 24 - hour emergency breath . Periodontitis commonly presents symp - Dr . Patel says , “ We do a good gum cleaning service , sleep dentistry and catering to toms such as swollen gums that can start and then check you again in a month . ” If patients with a high anxiety level . Additionally , bleeding at the slightest provocation , deep there is more severe gingivitis , leading to slight the practice offers in - house insurance plans pockets between the teeth and gums and bone breakdown and infection under the and unlimited exams and cleanings , all in a decay of connective tissue that can result in gum , or moderate to advanced breakdown , relaxing , spa - like facility . loss of a tooth or teeth . Dr . Patel says , “ That is when you need a peri - “ We want to make it as easy as possible Although periodontal disease affects a odontist . ” for patients to get healthy and stay that way , ” large percentage of the population — more It is important for patients to understand Dr . Patel says . “ We want to take the fear than 75 percent of North Americans , according that periodontal disease is connected to far away . We want to give them a reason to not to Dr . Patel — it remains an oft - overlooked more issues than just those involving the teeth have a reason to avoid their dental care . We issue . This is one of the reasons dentists en - and gums . Dr . Patel explains that periodontal really want to earn their trust . All aspects of courage patients to floss regularly . disease has been proven to be linked with dentistry are performed here , in a state - of - The Approach other systemic diseases including ailments of the - art facility by a compassionate , knowl - The initial way to approach periodontal disease , the cardiovascular system , diabetes , respiratory edgeable staff . You are treated as an individual , he says , involves three phases . “ Since we are issues and osteoporosis . Links to other issues and your comfort and needs are the most n very patient centric , we start with a physiological such as high - risk pregnancy and low birth important things to us . ” exam , ” he says of the Alpha Dental Excellence weight in babies have also been made . ALPHA DENTAL approach . “ This is where we ask , ‘ What is “ Some links are not definite but likely , ” Dr . D EXCELLENCE going on in the mouth from a health perspec - Patel says , “ but there is a strong link to heart 240 Middletown Blvd . , Suite 100 tive ? ’ This includes cancer screenings and issues . The mouth has a ton of bacteria that Langhorne , PA 19047 looking for infections . ” can lead to an infection when the bacteria get 215 - 297 - 6297 www.alphadentalexcellence.com The next factor examined relates to what in through the skin . . . . Often T - cells fight [ the SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM JANUARY 2019 56 |