A smile is a beautiful thing, but healthy teeth and gums are more than just pretty! Your oral health plays a big role in your overall health.

Most people don’t think about their teeth much unless they’re causing pain, but your teeth, gums, and tongue can actually reveal a good deal about your health. Having poor oral health can increase your risk of having other health issues, including heart disease — so keeping your mouth healthy can keep you healthier overall, too.

You probably know the basics of good oral health: brushing your teeth and flossing regularly. Regular dental checkups are also important. 

If you don’t have dental insurance or otherwise can’t afford the costs associated with regular dental care, Cempa Community Care is here to help. Through our Cempa Dental Clinic, those in our community can receive routine teeth cleanings, X-rays, and minor oral surgeries, along with care for other oral health needs.

The Importance of Oral Health

Speaking, tasting, chewing, expressing your feelings…these are only a handful of ways your mouth helps you function in everyday life. With so many important roles, it makes good sense to do your best to take care of your teeth and the rest of your mouth.

There’s another reason why it’s important to prioritize your oral health, though. Your oral health can impact your physical health. When disease, such as gingivitis, develops in the mouth, it can impact other parts of the body, causing inflammation that contributes to conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, and even dementia. 

Regular dental checkups can help you keep an eye on your oral health, allowing a dentist to spot any changes in your gums or teeth that could result in bigger problems if left untreated. These checkups also provide a deeper cleaning than you can achieve on your own, helping to remove stubborn plaque that can lead to bad breath, gum problems, and pain.

Cempa’s Dental Services
Because dental insurance is separate from health insurance in most cases, even those with good health insurance plans often find themselves faced with significant costs for basic dental care. Routine dental checkups and the X-rays used to closely examine teeth and gums can often be cost-prohibitive.

At the Cempa Dental Clinic, patients of all ages have access to essential dental services on a discount program based on family size and annual income. This includes preventive services such as dental cleanings, as well as emergency dental care, restorative dental care, treatment for gingivitis and other oral health conditions, and fittings for partials and dentures. 

“We don’t always think about our oral health as part of our overall health, but it can impact overall health in so many ways,” says Brittany Patmon, DMD, Lead Dentist at Cempa Dental Clinic. “Taking good care of your teeth and gums can help keep you healthy and well overall. We’re here to help you take the best possible care of your oral health.”

The provision of dental services fits into Cempa’s overall mission to provide affordable, high-quality care to those across the greater Chattanooga community. Along with dental care, Cempa also provides primary care, pharmacy services, women’s health services, and infectious disease testing and prevention. These services work together to ensure those who are uninsured and underinsured have access to the comprehensive care and support they deserve and need.

“Our motto is ‘championing healthy communities, one smile at a time,’” says Maggie Taylor, Director of Dental Services at Cempa Dental Clinic. “We’re proud to offer these services to our community to help support their oral health — and ultimately, their overall health.”

The Cempa Dental Clinic is offering a New Patient Special for $89, which includes a comprehensive exam and full mouth X-rays. The clinic is located at 1042 E. 3rd Street, Suite 100, in Chattanooga. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 423.203.1568.