Atlanta Whole Health Dentist

Yes—saliva testing is a core part of our whole health approach. From a simple, non-invasive sample, we can identify the specific bacteria driving gum disease, measure your cavity risk through pH and buffering capacity, screen for high-risk oral HPV strains, and flag inflammatory markers that researchers have associated with conditions like heart disease and diabetes. The results let us build a prevention plan based on your actual oral biology rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol. Just let our team know when you book your visit if you'd like saliva testing included in your appointment.

A whole health dentist treats your oral health as part of your overall health, not as an isolated system. This means reviewing your full medical history at every visit, screening for conditions that can affect oral tissues, and communicating with your physicians when dental findings suggest a broader health concern. Many dental practices focus narrowly on teeth and gums. Whole health dentistry intentionally expands that scope.

Yes. Multiple large-scale studies have found an association between chronic periodontal disease and increased cardiovascular risk, including heart attack and stroke. The mechanism involves both systemic inflammation driven by gum infection and oral bacteria entering the bloodstream. Treating active gum disease is part of managing cardiovascular risk, not separate from it.

Dr. Pickwick cannot diagnose diabetes, but she can identify oral findings that suggest the possibility. People with uncontrolled or undiagnosed diabetes frequently show signs in their gum tissue, including persistent inflammation, slow healing after procedures, and recurring infections. When those findings are present, Dr. Pickwick will recommend a follow-up with your primary care physician.

Your treatment plan at Heritage Family Dentistry is built on your full medical history. If you have a heart condition, care is coordinated accordingly. If you are pregnant, the timing of treatment takes your OB's recommendations into account. If you take medications that affect your oral tissues, those effects are factored in. The result is a plan built for you, not a standard protocol applied regardless of your health history.

No. The whole health approach changes how Dr. Pickwick evaluates and plans your care. It does not add fees to your bill. You pay for the same exams, cleanings, and treatments you would receive at any quality dental practice. The difference is in the depth and context of the evaluation, not in added cost.

Yes. Oral cancer screening is a standard part of every comprehensive exam at Heritage Family Dentistry. Early detection is the most important factor in oral cancer survival, and the screening itself is quick, painless, and non-invasive.

Yes, and most physicians would agree. The relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease runs in both directions. Diabetes increases the risk and severity of gum disease, and active gum disease makes it harder to control blood sugar. Patients managing diabetes benefit from closer periodontal monitoring and a dental team that coordinates with their endocrinologist or primary care provider.