By: Renuka Rao Bijoor, DDS, MPH

“But it doesn’t hurt!”

Every dentist has probably heard this reaction from a patient when an incipient carious lesion or an evolving periodontal problem is diagnosed. When compared to a medical condition, an oral issue does not hurt until, most often, it is too late. That is why it is so important to go for regular checkups and have dentists keep an eye on the oral health of their patients. However, the layperson does not always realize this and more than likely is wary, or even suspicious, of any findings that the dentist may relay and the management that is recommended.

June is National Smile Month, and as dentists, we should make it a point to educate our patients and the general public about the importance of regular dental checkups. It is also important for pediatricians to understand why children should have their first dental check-up by age 1, and we, as dentists, should remind them about this. The timely and appropriate utilization of dental health care is essential to the prevention and treatment of oral diseases; it is, therefore, necessary to identify the factors facilitating or impeding dental care utilization.¹

Dental caries is the most common disease, especially in children, and remarkably so, is completely preventable. However, the general public truly does not understand the need for preventive care and the barriers regarding this need to be managed.  Delay of dental care is associated with higher dental anxiety and lower oral health self-efficacy.² Very often, it is the fear of the expense involved that keeps the patients away. Studies also show dental anxiety, communication, and treatment costs acted as barriers to accessing dental care.³

The importance of preventive care is a key area to be addressed to avoid bigger and more expensive problems. Simple measures are the most effective and although sometimes, it seems redundant to keep reiterating them, it is crucial that dentists remind their patients at every appointment about the importance of preventive care in between dental visits, which includes:

1. Brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
2. Flossing regularly, at least once a day
3. Having regular meals and a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
4. Avoiding sugary, sticky foods
5. Avoiding soda, excessive amounts of juice, and carbonated drinks
6. First dental visit by age 1
7. Getting rid of the bottle by age 1 and the sippy cup by age 2 at the latest in children
8. Avoiding smoking, vaping and consuming any form of tobacco
9. Going regularly, once every six months at least, to the dentist for checkups and cleaning.

All these measures will certainly go a long way in maintaining good oral health.

For National Smile Month, let’s stress the importance of preventive care for those healthy smiles!

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This document is for general purposes only and should not be construed as medical, dental or legal advice. This document is not comprehensive and does not cover all possible factual circumstances. Because the facts applicable to your situation may vary, or the laws applicable in your jurisdiction may differ, please contact your attorney or other professional advisors for any questions related to legal, medical, dental or professional obligations, the applicable state or federal laws or other professional questions.

References:

1. Utilization of dental care among adult populations: a scoping review of applied    models, Zardak et al, BMC Oral Health 2023 Aug 27;23:596. doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-03323-1

2. Delay of Dental Care: An Exploratory Study of Procrastination, Dental Attendance, and Self-Reported Oral Health, Steinvik et al, Dent J Basel, 2023 Feb 20;11(2):56. doi: 10.3390/dj11020056

3. What is the function of psychosocial factors in predicting length of time since last dental visit? A secondary data analysis, Shahid et al, Int Dent J.

2020 Oct 21;69(5):369–375. doi: 10.1111/idj.12483