Normal Dentistry

Submitted by Gregory G. Rackauskas, D.D.S., “Healthy Cells,” March 2010

Every day, dentists around the world encounter patients that have not been to see a dentist in years.  It is often pain that finally inspires the visit; however, fear, lack of insurance, forgetfulness, or lack of compliance are also reasons why people may avoid seeing the dentist.   At the end of the appointment patients agree that they should have done this earlier.  They often say, “How did I let my teeth get to this point?” The unfortunate truth is that many people take better care of their cars and houses than they do their teeth.  So as spring cleaning season approaches and you think about washing windows, dusting ceiling fans, and power washing the garage floor, think about “spring cleaning” your teeth as well.

Having regular dental treatments and check-ups twice a year allows your dentist and hygienist to detect any early signs of problems with your teeth or gums that you might not see or feel. Dentists even screen for oral cancer.  It’s important to notice very early signs of decay because decay doesn’t cause pain until it is in a more advanced stage. Cavities, broken fillings or gum disease discovered in the early stages are easily treatable while root canals, gum surgery or teeth removal may be the only options if left untreated.   I think anyone would agree that they’d rather have a cavity filled than a root canal.

Most people know that it’s important to practice good oral hygiene to keep your teeth healthy and looking their best.  Brush at least three times a day, floss daily and use mouthwash.  However, these acts are not enough. No matter how diligent we are with our brushing and flossing, eventually, plaque and tartar build up will occur. Tartar on our teeth is like barnacles on a ship. They are crusty and very hard to remove. If you attempt to remove it yourself with some sort of special tool or heaven forbid with an ordinary knife; you may succeed, but you would risk damaging the enamel around the teeth.  The large amount of minerals in enamel accounts not only for its strength but also for its brittleness.  Once the enamel is accidentally scraped off, the teeth become vulnerable to damage, demineralization, and fracture with little time to spare.  When this framework support is damaged, the tooth loses its structure and can undergo irreversible decay.

Professional cleaning by a dental hygienist is a deep, detailed, thorough cleaning that removes the accumulated plaque and tartar leaving the teeth sparkling clean with healthy teeth and gums. Sometimes this cleaning exposes damage to the teeth or gums that was hidden by the tartar build-up. So just like we surface clean our house by dusting and vacuuming, when we deep clean our house, we tackle the cobwebs, the scum, and the caked on dirt behind the fridge.  We hope it doesn’t reveal a leaking roof or a cracked window pane, but it nevertheless feels good to have a clean house.   Now if only it could stay that way….

Our teeth are lifelong partners and are an extension of ourselves.  We can’t grow new ones and we can’t hide them behind make-up or clothes. It is therefore important to take care of them as best as we can. Practice good daily oral hygiene, and see your dentist twice a year – or at the very least once a year – for check-ups and cleanings to prevent expensive, more serious procedures in the future.