Overview: Beautiful teeth don’t always mean a healthy mouth. Dr. Jamar McKay discusses the overlooked dangers of gum disease, the importance of flossing and regular cleanings, and the connections between oral health and chronic conditions.
Why painless bleeding gums signal serious trouble and how Atlanta dentist Dr. Jamar McKay connects oral hygiene to chronic wellness.
According to a CDC report, almost 1 in 3 Black adults have at least one untreated cavity, compared with roughly 18% of white adults. Atlanta dentist Dr. Jamar McKay explains why oral health is important.
Beautiful teeth get the attention, but according to Dr. Jamar McKay, a general and cosmetic dentist at Express Smile in Atlanta, the real story starts at the gumline.
“Gum and bone are the foundation of everything for the teeth,” he says. “You could have beautiful teeth, teeth that don’t have any cavities, but you start to lose them because you’re losing the foundation.”
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McKay, 36, who began practicing dentistry in 2018, is among the 3.9% of dentists in the United States who are Black; nearly 13% of the U.S. population is Black. He has worked with professional athletes, including Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Christian Jamar Allen and University of North Carolina tight end Jelani Thurman.
He also reflects the industry’s trend showing an increasingly younger and more diverse workforce. That trend also finds dentists settling more into urban counties rather than rural locales.Word In Black asked Dr. McKay about common misconceptions regarding dental health, the effect of tobacco and marijuana use on oral health, and how oral health connects to the rest of the body.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Word In Black: What is the greatest misconception people have about dental health?
McKay: People think that if they’re not in pain, they don’t have any dental issues. Puffy gums and bleeding gums sometimes don’t hurt, so we just keep it moving. [But] like high blood pressure, a problem in the gums can [signal] a silent issue. The pain comes later. It only starts when things are much further along. Then you’re told, “Well, we’ve got to remove this tooth,” and you’re like, “What? I wasn’t in pain.” That’s one of the biggest misconceptions we have today versus going in for regular [dental] visits.
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