Cause Your Health Counts

Dental care is a highly personalized health service that varies from patient to patient. As a result it is difficult to give hard-and-fast rules about what constitutes a “good quality” dentist. For optimum dental care it is important to find a family dentist who takes a sincere interest in the patient’s general health and well being. In order to locate qualified dentists in your area the first thing you should do is to call or write to your local dental society seeking a list of dentists in your area. You can also speak to your family doctor or local pharmacist or ask members of your extended family, friends, neighbors or co-workers for their recommendation. Other possibilities are to speak to the dental school in your area or call your local hospital that has an accredited and attached dental service.

After completing your research, call a dentist and make an appointment. At this first visit you should be able to learn a lot about whether the dentist is right for you and your family. Keep in mind the following questions: What is the general appearance of the office and the dentist? Is everything neat, clean, and orderly? How available is the dentist? Is the appointment schedule convenient for you? Is
the office easy to get to from your home or place of business? Does the office provide dental health instruction and is the dentist skilled in the treatment and prevention of dental based disease? Does the dentist seem genuinely interested in your health and well being in a holistic sense? What arrangements can the dentist offer for outside of office hours emergencies? Then don’t be embarrassed to ask the dentist about fees.

Regular dental checkups are an essential part of any oral health program. If you see your dentist regularly, any oral health problems you have can be treated in their early stages preventing considerable health problems and expense. If you see a dentist only in an emergency, or when you
already have a serious problem, treatment may be much more costly and the problem much more extensive.

Periodically, your dentist may ask you to have an x-ray examination. X-rays help your dentist find hidden conditions that can threaten your dental health. X-rays can usually pick up dental health issues early and treating such conditions at an early stage often prevents more serious damage and the need for more expensive treatment later. But there are also things you can do at home. Brushing and flossing the teeth thoroughly at least daily will ensure that you remove plaque. Plaque is a thin film of bacteria that forms on the outer layer of your teeth and without treatment causes tooth decay and gum disease. By using a fluoride mouth rinse and toothpaste you will help to make your teeth stronger and more resistant to decay. Eating nutritious meals and limiting the number of sugary snacks you eat on a daily basis is also important for maintaining your oral health and hence minimizing your level of dental treatment required.