How often do I NEED to go to the dentist? The nation is buzzing about the recently released study, reported in The New York Times and other large, popular sources, as well as in the Journal of Dental Research, that indicates that patients may not need to go in to see their dentist every six months. This is ABSOLUTELY TRUE! But let me explain more about what’s got everyone talking (finally). Dentistry has always been the forerunner in all disciplines of preventive medicine. The more disease your dentist can identify and prevent, delay, or slow down, the more likely you are to have a healthy, attractive smile your entire life. As so many have found out, once we let our mouths begin to fall apart, it becomes very expensive and time consuming to try to get back to healthy, pain free, and happy. We encourage patients to come in for exams and cleanings as frequently as they need, but that frequency is both unique to each individual and changes with time. It is based on the idea that there are some things that make us have a higher risk for problems in our mouths and some things that make our risk lower. In general, there are four main issues we deal with in dentistry: 1. cavities, and the consequences of cavities, like fillings, crowns, root canals, and extractions 2. periodontal (gum) disease (gingivitis, bone loss, bad breath, exposed roots) 3. bite issues (crooked teeth, painful joints, grinding and clenching) 4. ugly teeth (Being unhappy with the way our teeth look and feel is a choice because we are blessed in America with being able to do something about it!) So, what the article reveals is what we have long been trying to teach our patients. If you are a honey bear and eat lots of sticky, sugary foods and don’t brush your teeth, or already have fillings or crowns in your mouth, your risk for growing cavities is much higher than if you’re a brown bear and eat lots of vegetables and meats. So you need to come in for exams and x-rays more often. If you smoke and have diabetes, only floss right before your next cleaning, or fall into the estimated 50-80% of Americans who have some form of periodontal disease, you need to get your teeth cleaned more than twice a year or you will eventual lose bone around your teeth and then lose your teeth completely. Coming in on the recommended interval allows us to provide optimum care, improving your health together. The greatest benefit to doing what is recommended: as your health improves, the frequency of your exams, x-rays, and cleanings goes down. We are just as excited as you are when we can skip an exam or forego x-rays or switch from cleanings every four months back to every six months because your improved health through the therapy we offer now justifies less need of monitoring. I encourage you to come on in and learn more about your health. My greatest pleasure is knowing that I have empowered you to make healthier decisions for yourself and your loved ones. ~ Dr Dave
Posted on: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:28:11 +0000
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