WVU Dental and You

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Oral health is our priority.

Our dentists and dental hygienists are doing more than treating your immediate oral healthcare needs. They are determined to make sure you can eat, speak and smile with ease.

We need to see you

regularly (at least annually or more frequently as recommended by your individual provider).
if it is painful to chew or if you have difficulty swallowing.
when a permanent tooth becomes loose.
if your gums are swollen or bleeding.
when sores or spots develop and last a week or longer.
if it is painful to open and close your jaw.
when you need help with tobacco cessation.

Between visits

brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
make sure you brush for two minutes each time you brush.
floss daily.
replace your toothbrush every three months or more frequently.
consider using a fluoride mouthwash.

Overall wellness is the goal.

Our skilled dental care providers approach your oral health wanting to improve your total well-being. A patient's mouth could show signs of trouble somewhere else in the body. Improvement in oral health could make a difference in medical conditions beyond the head, neck and mouth.

Diabetes and oral health

Symptoms of diabetes include dry mouth. Without saliva, cavities become a bigger concern.
Gum disease and gingivitis often accompany diabetes.

Cardiovascular disease and oral health

Research has shown gum disease could increase the risk of heart disease. Seeing a dentist to keep gum disease from developing or seeing a specialist to treat gum disease lowers the potential of inflammation in the mouth. Inflammation in the mouth has been associated with some heart conditions.