Preventing Disease through Proactive Dentistry

Now that Halloween has passed and the holiday season is upon us, it is the perfect time to evaluate our oral health routines. Preventative dentistry and hygiene are key factors in reducing the prevalence of dental diseases. Alfred C. Fones, better known as the “father of dental hygiene,” introduced the concept of preventative dentistry in the early 1900s. Up until that point, dentistry was only reactive to dental diseases, not proactive. Although preventative dentistry has been widely practiced in the US since the 1960s, dental diseases are still a major health concern.
According to the CDC, tooth decay (the most common oral disease) affects about 40% of US children 2-11 years of age and about 59% of children 12–19 years of age. Periodontal (gum) disease affects about 47% of adults over 30 years of age and a whopping 70% of adults 65 years and older! To top it all off, there is currently a rise in oral cancer, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. Luckily, these alarming statistics can decrease with one simple concept: PREVENTION.
With healthy habits, good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, tooth decay and gum disease can be decreased and sometimes prevented altogether. After assessing your risk factors for gum disease and tooth decay, your dentist and hygienist work together to customize a proper treatment plan to optimize your oral health. Preventing and managing tooth decay and gum disease at early stages will keep your smile healthy for the long haul.
A visual screening for oral cancer is common during a routine dental visit. Some risk factors for oral cancer include: patients 40 years of age or older, and patients 18 to 39 years of age combined with tobacco use, chronic alcohol consumption, or oral HPV infection. If you have any of these risk factors your dentist or hygienist may suggest an enhanced oral cancer screening like Vizilite Plus®. It is a simple, painless procedure that involves a rinse and the use of a light wand. It helps detect tissue abnormalities that may go undetected during a standard visual exam. Early detection of oral cancer dramatically increases the five-year survival rate.
Your dentist and hygienist play major roles in managing these diseases and educating patients about common risk factors. With dentists and hygienists working hand-in-hand through thorough comprehensive exams and preventative maintenance programs, these common diseases can be reduced or even avoided completely for many people. Knowledge and prevention gives you the power when it comes to reducing your risk for dental diseases.
We at Cape May Dental Associates are committed to providing the best care possible for all our patients and are focused on prevention and early detection of all oral diseases.
By Chie Li Ee, DMD, and Gina Pratta
Cape May Dental Associates