Sometimes I feel like a broken record, constantly reminding people of how important it is to see their dentist for regular dental check-ups. Two recent experiences though remind me of how important it really is to “hold the line”.
A month or so ago I helped to deliver over a million dollars in donated dental services to more than 2,000 needy people in the Allentown area in one weekend! This event, called a MOM (Mission of Mercy)-n-PA Event, was staffed by over 400 volunteer dentists, dental hygienists and assistants. Many of the patients receiving care had not seen a dentist in years, and believe me, it showed. Most people were having hopeless and infected teeth removed – a result of years of neglect. It’s just sad that so much of this could have been so easily prevented.
The second case actually occurred in my own practice. A patient who visits me infrequently came to have her teeth cleaned. I hadn’t seen her in the office in over a year. Decay had started without her knowledge under a large filling in one of her back molar teeth. Now, instead of an inexpensive repair, the tooth needs to be restored with a crown and may even need root canal therapy.
There are lessons to be learned in all of this: An ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure, especially at today’s prices! People also have to take responsibility for their own circumstances to the extent that they can. I can tell people to brush and floss, Even show them how to do it, but I can’t make them do it.
As your dentist, my goal is to help you achieve optimal dental oral health. Whenever you have questions about any dental care product, feel free to contact me or the staff at my office, Dr. Laurence Stone in Doylestown, PA with any questions or concerns or to schedule your next visit so we can talk more about this. Remember, brushing two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily are important ways to take care of your dental health.
