Written by Leslie M. Dill, Kelly Jorg & Dr. Thu Trinh

In the second installment of our "Tech's Side Effects" series, we spoke with Dr. Thu Trinh - the founder of Rise Dental, a family owned dental practice in Cedar Park, Texas, focused on longevity-centered, whole-body oral health. Her approach blends modern dental technology with a deeply personal, prevention-focused style of care. She is passionate about helping patients understand the connection between oral health, inflammation, airway, hormones, stress and overall wellness. Through Rise Dental, Dr. Trinh is working to make dentistry more transparent, educational and empowering for patients at every stage of life. 

Dr. Thi Trinh, DDS

Q: Dental technology has come a long way. What is the most significant shift you have seen in how technology helps patients understand their own health and make better decisions because of it?

Dr. Trinh: The biggest shifts is that patients no longer have to rely only on verbal explanations. Years ago, dentistry often sounded like "you have a cavity" or "you have gum disease" and the patient had to trust what they were told without really seeing it. Now, with digital scans, 3D imaging, intraoral photos, salivary testing, airway screening and educational platforms, patients can see patterns for themselves.

A digital scan can show wear, crowding, bite changes, recession or tooth structure in a way that is much easier to understand. 3D imaging can help us evaluate anatomy more clearly. Salivary testing can give insight into bacterial risk and inflammation. Airway screening can help connect oral findings with sleep and breathing concerns. To me, the most meaningful technology is not the flashiest technology. It is the technology that fosters a better conversation. When patients understand what is happening, they tend to make better decisions, not because they were pressured, but because the picture finally makes sense.

"To me, the most meaningful technology is not the flashiest technology. It is the technology that fosters a better conversation."

Q: Rise Dental take a different approach to patient care. Can you describe what sets your practice apart, and how you think about wellness for patients across all stages of life?

Dr. Trinh:  At Rise Dental, we see dentistry as part of a larger health story. Teeth and gums are not separate from the rest of the body. They are connected to inflammation, sleep, nutrition, stress, hormones, airway health, confidence and quality of life. What sets our practice apart is that we try to slow the process down in a world that often feels rushed. We use technology, education and conversation to help patients understand what is happening in their mouths and why it matters. A scan, an image or a screening tool is not just a diagnostic step. It is a communication tool. It helps patients see what we see. 

Wellness looks different at every stage of life. For a young woman, it may mean understanding gum changes during hormonal shifts or pregnancy. For a busy mother, it may mean addressing clenching, jaw tension, sleep quality or chronic inflammation. For someone later in life, it may mean preserving teeth, supporting function, replacing old dentistry thoughtfully and maintaining confidence and quality of life. Our is not to overwhelm patients with information. It is to bring clarity, so they can make decisions that feel informed, personal and aligned with their long-term health. 

Q: Women carry a disproportionate amount of stress: caregiving, work, the mental load. How does chronic stress show up in the mouth and what are you seeing more of in your practice?

Dr. Trinh: Stress often shows up in the mouth before people realize it is affecting their body. We commonly see clenching, grinding, cracked teeth, jaw tension, headaches, gum inflammation, dry mouth and changes in home care routines when people are overwhelmed. Stress can also affect sleep, breathing patterns, inflammation and the immune response, which all influence oral health. A lot of women are high-functioning while quietly carrying a heavy load. They may not come in saying, "I'm stressed." They come in saying, "my jaw hurts,", "I broke another tooth,", "my gums are bleeding," or "I wake up tired." The mouth can become a record of what the body has been trying to manage. 

What I wish more women knew is that oral symptoms are not always isolated dental problems. Sometimes they are signs that the body is under strain. That does not mean everything is "caused by stress", but it does mean we should be curious about the bigger picture. 

Q: How does hormonal change during pregnancy, perimenopause, or even just the monthly cycle actually affect a woman's gums and oral health? What do you wish more women knew before they hit those milestones?

Dr. Trinh: Hormones can make the gums more reactive to plaque and bacteria. During pregnancy, for example, hormonal changes can exaggerate the gum tissue's inflammatory response, which is why some women notice bleeding, swelling, tenderness or pregnancy gingivitis. The CDC notes that about 60% - 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis, which is a huge number and not talked about enough. (ADA)

The same general idea can apply during puberty, monthly cycles, perimenopause and menopause. Shifts in estrogen and progesterone can affect gum sensitivity, saliva, inflammation and how the mouth responds to bacteria. The Office on Women's Health also notes that changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can increase the risk of oral health issues. (Office of Women's Health)

Q: AI is showing up in so many areas of healthcare. How has it changed the way your patients understand and engage with their care, and what do you wish more people knew about what AI can and cannot do in a dental setting?

Dr. Trinh: AI has the potential to make dentistry more understandable and more organized. In a dental setting, it can help with documentation, image analysis support, patient education, risk tracking and helping teams communicate more clearly. For patients, one of the biggest benefits is that AI can help translate complex clinical information into something easier to understand. It can help summarize findings, organize options, and support better follow-up. The ADA has also described AI and augmented intelligence as tools that may support patient care, diagnostics, administrative processes and improved patient experiences. (ADA) But I think it's important to be honest about what AI cannot do. AI does not replace clinical judgement. It does not replace the relationship between doctor and patient. It does not understand a person's values, fears, family history, goals or lived experience the way a clinician can. 

"The best use of AI is to not remove the human from healthcare. Technology should support care, not replace it."

The best use of AI is not to remove the human from healthcare. It is to give the human more clarity, more time and better information. At Rise Dental, that is the lens we use. Technology should support care, not replace it.

Q: Most people do not associate their dentist with airway health. How does airway screening come up in your practice and what surprises patients most when they learn about that connection?

Dr. Trinh: Airway screening often comes up through signs we see in the mouth and face: tooth wear, clenching, grinding, narrow arches, tongue position, mouth breathing, dry mouth, gum inflammation, jaw tension, or reports of poor sleep. A lot of patients are surprised that dentists look at these things. But the mouth is the entrance to the airway. How someone breathes, sleeps, swallows, and positions their tongue can affect oral health, facial development, bite stability, and overall wellness.

What surprises patients most is that symptoms they thought were unrelated may actually be connected. For example, waking up tired, clenching at night, dry mouth, headaches, or constantly feeling tense may all be worth discussing through an airway lens. We are not trying to diagnose everything in the dental chair. Instead, we screen, educate, and help patients understand when something may deserve a deeper look or collaboration with the right medical provider. The goal is clarity, not fear.

Q: Anything else you'd like patients to know?

Dr. Trinh: One thing I would add is that women are often the health decision-makers for their families. They are usually the ones noticing symptoms, scheduling appointments, researching options, asking questions, and trying to make the best decisions with limited time and energy.

That is why clarity matters so much. When we use technology well, we are not just showing off new tools. We are reducing confusion. We are helping women see what is happening, understand their options, and feel more confident advocating for themselves and their families.

The goal is not more information for the sake of information. The goal is better understanding, better prevention, and better long-term health.

(Rise Dental is a modern dental practice in Cedar Park, Texas, designed around the belief that oral health is an essential part of whole-body wellness. The practice combines advanced technology, thoughtful diagnostics, and a calm, personalized patient experience to help patients better understand their health and make confident decisions. With a focus on prevention, airway awareness, biological and wellness-minded dentistry, and long-term function, Rise Dental’s motto is: Modern Dentistry, Designed for Life)

If you'd like to contribute to the AWT blog please contact PR Director Leslie M. Dill .