ProvaDent Review [ Dr. Andrew Knudson | The STEALTHY Truth ]

Dr. Andrew Knudson is a board-certified dentist with a passion for promoting optimal oral health. With years of experience in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps, Dr. Knudson has seen firsthand the importance of good oral health in maintaining overall wellness.

Dr. Knudson’s journey began when he was just 18 years old, entering the U.S. Naval Academy. He went on to join the Dental Corps, completing his first residency at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego and his second at the Air Force Postgraduate Dental School, where he earned a Master’s degree in Oral Biology.

Today, Dr. Knudson practices in Annapolis, Maryland, the place where he started his journey. He is board-certified by the American Board of General Dentistry, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of practicing dentists.

Dr. Knudson’s experience in the Navy has given him a unique perspective on the importance of oral health. As a dentist for the U.S. Navy, Dr. Knudson oversaw the dental health of tens of thousands of individuals, including 4,500 midshipmen who are training to become officers in the Navy and Marine Corps.

The scope of U.S. Navy dental care is huge and global. The Navy employs over 1,300 active and reserve dentists who provide services to more than 340,000 personnel, whether stationed on land or deployed at sea. On an aircraft carrier like the USS Eisenhower, which Dr. Knudson had the privilege to serve on, dentists are on board to provide care for over 5,000 sailors.

Smaller vessels like destroyers, cruisers, and submarines do not have dentists, so Dr. Knudson and his team need to make sure the dental health of everyone on board is in top shape before they go underway. Excellent oral care is an essential part of ensuring the readiness of personnel, but the importance of what they do goes beyond making sure they have pain-free teeth and gums.

The mouth is a critical frontline for our body’s defense systems and a window into our overall health. More and more studies keep coming out showing the connection between oral and general health. An issue in the mouth that may not seem serious can lead to debilitating or even life-threatening complications.

According to research completed at Harvard Medical School, gum disease can mean a two to three times higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, or other severe cardiovascular events. Dr. Knudson frequently sees patients who think they’re doing enough by brushing and flossing, yet they still struggle with oral health issues that cause not only physical discomfort but anxiety and embarrassment.

Unexpected cavities and excruciating toothaches inflame gums that are tender and swollen, sensitivity to hot and cold, making eating and drinking a challenge, or the shame of stained and discolored teeth or persistent bad breath. There’s a harsh reality behind all of this. Much of the conventional wisdom about oral health ingrained in us since we were old enough to pick up a toothbrush is either misleading or outright false.

Dr. Knudson created ProvaDent as a way to share his knowledge and expertise with the world, helping people everywhere to achieve the healthy, confident smile they deserve.