Dental Health Services

As part of our integrated, patient-centered services at HopeHealth, we believe that oral health is the gateway to overall physical health and can often be a good indicator of what is happening inside a patient’s body. Recent research has indicated a connection between oral health and heart health, diabetes, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease. Did you know that:

• The mouth is the body’s most common entry point for an infection
• That nearly every medical condition has some kind of manifestation in the mouth
• Bacteria in the mouth can get into your bloodstream and travel throughout your body causing inflammation- a major force behind most chronic diseases

In addition, gum disease is the primary cause of adult tooth loss in the US and, although the prevalence of gum disease in adults has decreased over the last 50 years, it is still higher in certain population groups who are unable to access much needed, affordable dental care.

How does gum disease start? Food particles that get stuck in your mouth after eating begin to attract bacteria which forms plaque if you don’t brush and floss daily. In less than a week, this slimy plaque can form hard tartar which can only be removed by a dentist’s scraping tool. Tartar lodges in the gum structure and starts to cause inflammation which is known as gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal disease. Little pockets form between the teeth and gum and get bigger as more bacteria eats away at the tooth until it is permanently damaged which is known as severe form of gum disease- periodontitis. The bacteria festering on your teeth and in your gums can move into the bloodstream and travel throughout your body, wreaking havoc, causing inflammation and triggering chronic disease. So you can see why preventative dentistry such as daily brushing and flossing and dental cleanings are so vital to your health.

Regular preventive care, early diagnosis and treatment can help you avoid gum disease, cavities, enamel wear, and more. Through HopeHealth Dental Services in Florence, our patients have access to professional dental care and oral health education, to help them improve their overall health, help prevent dental and chronic disease and have the confidence of a beautiful smile.

Dental care services are available for both children and adults and include preventive services such as cleanings, fluoride application, and sealants, deep cleanings, x-rays, fillings, extractions, and some crowns. Currently, we do not offer full mouth dentures, partial dentures, sedation, or braces but we do have referral partners for these services. Dr. Colin Spencer, Dr. Prakash, Dr. Chaiwala, and their teams of dental assistants and hygienists will help you understand how to properly care for your teeth and gums, and when to consider restorative dental treatment. We accept all dental insurances. To promote preventive care, many dental plans pay all or most of the cost for routine dental checkups, including cleanings and examinations.

Affordable Dental Care Services

• Basic dental screenings and preventive services
• Oral health education
• Routine and deep cleanings
• Dental x-rays, fillings, and single unit crowns
• Root canals
• Extractions
• Referrals to specialty oral health services
• Topical fluoride and sealant applications