There’s a saying that we have in dentistry, probably in most health professions, and that’s “prevention is the best form of treatment”. This may be cliché, but I am a firm believer in this; especially as it pertains to your teeth.

Hello, it’s Dr. C. You can consider me your community dentist who cares about community issues. Although my focus is on dentistry, I care about a lot more than just your teeth; I care about you! I’ve been at “The Henry” for about three years now seeing dental patients of all ages. We do several dental procedures such as cleanings, fillings, extractions, crowns, and even dentures. Above all, what I enjoy most is the educational dialogue I get to have with each patient on better ways to prevent dental diseases. How often do you go to your dentist and he or she asks you “how are you sleeping?” Or “what’s your daily diet?” “Are you currently under any stress?” Well, when you come to see me, this is how it goes. Here’s why.

According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2020 oral health was one of the leading indicators for healthy living. What this means is that how healthy you are can be determined AND decided by how healthy your teeth are as well. Several systemic diseases can be detected simply by having a dental exam. In addition, you can uncover a variety of parafunctional (bad) habits within a dental exam as well. Discovering this does a great deal in the realm of preventive health because it gets to the core of what’s causing us to lead unhealthy lives; as I said before, I care about much more than your teeth.

So, the first step of preventing dental diseases is taking that leap of faith and paying a visit to me. After that, my job is to educate you on what dental diseases are and what causes them. Dental diseases include cavities (decay), gingivitis/periodontitis (gum disease), oral cancer, halitosis, TMJ disorder, bruxing, tooth erosion, and attrition just to name a few. The one thing that all of these dental diseases have in common is that they can all be prevented. Want to know how? Glad you asked.

1. Visit your dentist regularly. We recommend twice a year for routine checkups. This is your opportunity to not just get your teeth cleaned, but to ask all the questions necessary to knowing how to take better care of your teeth.
2. Brush, floss, and rinse twice a day. No excuses, this is an absolute must. When you come see me for your checkups, you’re going to leave out with a new toothbrush. So again, no excuses.
3. Watch the foods that you eat. Know which foods are bad for your teeth, and know which ones are good for your teeth.
4. Limit the amount of stress you have in your life. Life is hard and can be filled with pressures. I understand. Self-care has to be a part of our lifestyle, whether it’s taking time to watch your favorite movie or going for a walk.
5. Try to eliminate bad habits such as tobacco use, teeth grinding, or activities that could cause trauma to your mouth. There are services that we provide that can help aid you in quitting any of these habits. Again, come see me and let’s talk about it.
6. Lastly, get some rest. As a dental professional, I am very invested in your sleeping patterns and habits because that too affects your teeth as well.

My message today is this. Out of all the medical advances and treatments that we have available, there is still a type of treatment that reigns supreme in the field of (dental) medicine and that is prevention. Take control over your health, in particular your oral health. And just know, you aren’t by yourself in your journey. I am right by your side.

Your community dentist,
Dr. C