Regular Dental Visits = An ounce of prevention!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

You  may have heard the old adage, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In health matters, this folk statement is more than true. Unfortunately, due to economic restraints and “tightening-the-belt” budgeting, our doctors are finding that more and more patients are putting off regular dental care in favor of “when it hurts I’ll fix it!”

Dental care should have a different focus than simply “fixing the broken part” when necessary – akin to the idea of forgoing regular car maintenance and spending more dollars at the pump and mechanic shop when several issues that could have been prevented if caught earlier all combine into one large fix-it bill. Having a healthy mouth and body occurs when families are working toward daily habits of health, including a visit to a health professional regularly.

Teeth are for more than chewing food (although arguably, the ability to chew and eat comfortably is worth its weight in gold). They are essential in speech development, and primary teeth help guide permanent teeth into the correct placement as the child’s jaw grows.  For many, having a missing or damaged tooth prevents them from flashing a bright, full smile. When volunteering for Mission of Mercy and other community dental events, we see many adults (and kids) in tears, so happy that they finally have their teeth fixed and can smile without hiding their teeth behind their hands.

Regular dental visits should include a full exam (and for adults, a thorough neck exam), a professional cleaning to remove built-up plaque, inspect gums for signs of disease, and identify potential areas of concern, and a topical flouride treatment for children and high risk adults. For children over the age of 5, or who have visible signs of decay, x-rays should be taken to help the doctor ensure that he or she is thorough in their diagnosis of cavities and needed treatment.

While visits to the dentist can be an investment, particularly for patients without the help of dental benefits, try budgeting in $40 – 50 per month into an account for medical visits. We’ve found for our Quality Dental Plan participants, that $40 a month for 12 months pays for two complete regular visits and even includes sealants – which are a great preventative measure. Compared to a filling which may run several hundred dollars per tooth, it’s definitely a worthwhile budgeting plan!

For more information about World of Smiles, Pediatric Dentistry, and our perspective on how FUN dental visits can be, visit our Patient Info page. You’ll also find information about Quality Dental Plan, our in-office membership savings plan.

Tags: Cavity Prevention, Cavity prevention for babies, Cavity Prevention For kids, How to prevent cavities

Written by Michelle Stafford, DDS