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Dr. Bill Davies recently joined the Horseshoe Bay POA for a Community Education seminar focused on the connection between oral health, chronic inflammation, and heart health. The presentation opened with a simple question to the audience: “What brought you here today?” The answers varied. Some attendees mentioned a family history of poor dental hygiene, while another shared he had recently been told he needed a root canal. Others came with questions about how oral health might affect the rest of the body.

 

Dr. Davies used those responses as a starting point for a broader discussion about how the mouth plays an important role in overall wellness. He shared the story of a doctor and dentist who compared notes and noticed something interesting: their patients seemed to experience fewer heart attacks and strokes. That observation led the discussion toward chronic inflammation and the idea that long-term inflammation in the body may be connected to serious health conditions.

 

Throughout the seminar, Dr. Davies returned several times to the BaleDoneen Method, a prevention-focused approach that examines inflammation, genetics, lifestyle, and root causes before major health events occur. One slide summed up the theme: “Success Leaves Clues.” The message was that if patients experience better outcomes, it is worth studying what contributes to those results.

 

 

Dr. Davies also reviewed leading causes of death over time, comparing 1980, 2021, and 2024. He noted that COVID-19 was the number two cause of death globally in 2021, while 2024 U.S. data showed a pattern closer to earlier decades, with heart disease again at the top. He emphasized that poor blood circulation remains a major concern and linked it to chronic inflammation.

 

A central part of the presentation focused on bacteria in the mouth. Dr. Davies highlighted five high-risk oral pathogens that have been associated with both oral and systemic health issues:

 

Aa: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
Pg: Porphyromonas gingivalis
Td: Treponema denticola
Tf: Tannerella forsythia
Fn: Fusobacterium nucleatum

 

 

This slide became a point of discussion. Dr. Davies explained that some bacteria carry higher risks than others and encouraged attendees to identify which bacteria are present before deciding how to address them. He also discussed testing options, including SimplyPerio, a saliva test that identifies bacteria types in the mouth. Here is a link for more information on getting tested. 

 

The audience was especially engaged during the testing discussion. Questions focused on where to get tested, what to do with results, and how patients can discuss concerns with their dentists. Dr. Davies recommended addressing bacteria in this order: Aa, Pg, Td, Tf, and finally Fn. He encouraged patients to be proactive and ask dental providers directly about these bacteria and how they are addressed.

 

The presentation also touched on the relationship between nutrition, oral hygiene, diabetes, and gut health. Dr. Davies noted nutrition plays an important role in overall health and discussed how dietary and lifestyle changes may affect inflammation. One audience member pointed out that earlier generations often spent more time outdoors in agriculture-based lifestyles, while many people today spend more time indoors. Another attendee noted that modern diets have changed significantly. These comments broadened the conversation beyond dentistry into everyday habits that may affect long-term health.

 

Dr. Davies also discussed vitamin D, suggesting that people should know their levels and consider whether they are within the range required. This sparked additional conversation about sunlight, indoor lifestyles, nutrition, and how health habits have changed over time.

 

Another memorable point from the presentation was the phrase, “We have come to a fork in the road.” Dr. Davies noted that healthcare now accounts for about 20 percent of the United States' GDP, raising broader questions about prevention, early detection, and personal responsibility in health decisions.

 

By the end of the seminar, attendees were not just listening; they were engaged. They were asking questions, sharing experiences, and looking for practical next steps. One audience member even suggested that the POA consider hosting a more hands-on session, similar to a Life Line Screening clinic, where residents could learn more about oral bacteria testing and what actions to take after receiving results. Here is a copy of the presentation.

 

The discussion made one thing clear: oral health is not just about teeth. It can be part of a broader health conversation about inflammation, circulation, nutrition, and prevention. Dr. Davies encouraged attendees to stay curious, ask better questions, and work with their healthcare and dental providers to better understand what may be happening inside the body.

 

For those who attended, the seminar offered plenty to think about. For those who could not make it, the takeaway is simple: the mouth may provide important clues about overall health, and paying closer attention to those clues may be a meaningful step toward better long-term wellness. Here is the link that Dr. Bill shared at the end of the seminar: https://boards.com/a/AyB0VA.golnKL to learn more.