by Jenneate Radix-Grant, DDS
In recent years, there has been an increase in awareness regarding the appearance of teeth. I have seen people travel far and wide in the pursuit of the perfect smile, with desires for treatment as involved as braces, crowns and veneers. As a dental professional, a small part of me is happy to see that there is now more attention being paid to oral health but, a large part of me wishes there was more focus on the actual health of our teeth and oral tissues. There is so much more to oral health than the appearance of straight, white teeth.
- Advertisement -
The appearance of our smiles and desire for esthetic excellence are great things to desire but, a house cannot be built on a poor foundation. The foundation of a beautiful smile is the health of your gingiva, your bone, your TMJ, muscles of mastication and teeth.
Did you know that routine oral exams can reveal undiscovered medical conditions like leukemia, oral cancer, oral HPV, AIDS, sleep apnea, vitamin deficiencies and more? The condition of our mouth is directly connected to our overall health and quality of life. It affects self-esteem, our ability to consume the foods we need for good nutrition and, ultimately affects the way we are seen and treated by others. It is therefore imperative that we do not ignore our oral health. We need to start looking at our oral health as a part of your general health. Remembering that excess bacteria in the oral cavity can negatively affect ones cardiovascular system and, as stated in more recent research, could increase ones risk for dementia.
Remember, care for our oral health starts at home. It starts with brushing twice daily with a soft toothbrush, flossing before you brush for bed at night and remembering that water flossing is best used in conjunction with conventional floss. In addition to your homecare, make it a routine to visit a dental professional at least twice a year. Your dental exam may include x-rays, an oral exam (this includes an oral cancer screening, gingival exam and a tooth exam to rule out cavities or other infections), you should also look forward to a cleaning twice a year. This will allow for early detection of possible cavities, gingival inflammation, periodontal disease and oral cancer. It can also help reduce the potential financial burden associated with dental care needed to address the needs of a patient with a history of dental neglect.
There is no need to hate or fear the dentist. The more you come to see us, the better it gets!
