Preventive Dentistry

The Best Dentistry is No Dentistry

It can't be said enough! Prevention is the best medicine. It is an unfortunate fact that over half the US populations never sees the dentist. Some of these people are blessed with teeth and personal constitutions which resist dental problems. Most, however, are destined to gradually lose teeth to decay and gum disease until they become dental cripples.

The three main goals of preventive dentistry are:

1. Education
2. Prevention
3. Restoration

Dentists, schools, and government agencies spend millions each year educating the public about the need for good dental care. While they can only do so much, it's encouraging to think of the people who's lives are improved by these efforts. Lack of good information is the reason many people avoid dental care in the first place. Providing that knowledge is key to any preventive program.

Actual preventive activities occur on the personal and public levels. Most municipalities in North America add fluoride to their drinking water. While this has been controversial in the past and may be again, there is no doubt that the result of fluoridation is a drastic reduction in the number of decayed teeth in that community. Regular dental cleanings remove deposits from teeth that accumulate with time and cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. Dental checkups help to find developing gum disease and decay so that steps may be taken to remedy the problems. Your dentist may also prescribe oral rinses and treatments to further aid in prevention.

Active dental disease must be addressed as soon as detected. If left untreated, the bacteria associated with decay and gum disease create a viscious cycle leading to early tooth loss among other problems. Recent research has begun to establish a relationship between certain oral bacteria and heart disease.

It's unfortunate that so many people don't connect oral health with their overall health until the damage is done, and sometimes, not even then. Don't be one of them. Take care of your teeth and gums and you'll be eating and smiling for years to come.