Are you serious about Prevention? Are you really serious about avoiding false teeth?
Here are six facts:
- More people lose teeth due to gum disease than to dental decay. Gum disease is widespread, progressive and mostly painless.
- Certain groups of people are prone to gum disease.
- There are important links between gum disease and these conditions:
- heart disease
- stroke
- bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia
- diabetes
- smoking
- alcohol abuse
- poor diet
Please note:
Sufferers from gum disease have twice the risk of fatal heart attack than those with healthy gums. They also have a greater risk of respiratory diseases. Pregnant women with gum disease are more likely to have a premature or low birth weight child or have a miscarriage. - Smoking and alcohol use are linked to oral cancer.
- Most patients are unaware that a disease process is progressing in their mouths because there is usually no pain and no obvious loosening of teeth until very late stages. Your dentist can detect the early stages of the disease and help you.
- Too many patients don’t take us seriously until the disease is obvious enough for them to notice. By then, it’s almost too late…
They are precious. Keep them while you can. We can help you to maintain them as long as possible.
Those who do leave it till they have a problem almost invariably say they won’t leave it to chance ever again. All that happens is that the disease, which often is “quiet” in the mouth, develops unnoticed by the patient until it reaches a point where help from professionals to cure pain is suddenly required. The emergency case has to be seen at the Practice’s chosen time, and it often entails further visits.
- Please let a dentist examine your mouth regularly, usually 6 months and no longer than 12 months. Please take notice of our recommendations—we want the best for you, as do you. For London patients, click here.
SEE A GOOD, HIGHLY TRAINED, AND QUALIFIED dental HYGIENIST.
Many hygienists are important members of the team who work closely with the dentist to treat and prevent gum disease and maintain a Fresh Breath Programme for you.
She will guide and advise you in a friendly, informal manner and carry out prescribed cleaning and maintenance. She can give valuable advice on cleaning methods and even dietary advice if needed. She is happy to see a small group of children in the holidays for a fun preventive session they can enjoy rather than dread.
Legally, the Hygienist only treats her patients under the dentist’s prescription (or direction). Hygienists in the UK are permitted to carry out various simple treatments under prescription. The patients must be examined by their dentist not less than every 12 months to keep the hygienist’s prescription valid and accurate because the patients’ tissues will constantly change over time.
- Bad breath is a common problem amongst non-attenders and can be tackled for you as part of a Preventive Plan.
Prevention is the most critical treatment we provide since it empowers the patient to achieve and maintain optimal dental and gum health.
Regrettably, patients generally put a low value on Prevention, perhaps because they have not grasped just how important it is. Having got this far, you know it has high value for you. Minimal problems. Lower dental costs long term. Easier visits. You want those for yourself. Don’t you?