Most patients think of preventive dentistry as a toothbrush and dental floss, for preventing gum
bleeding and periodontal disease. And yes, they are a part of everything about preventing dental
disease. However, preventive dentistry also includes watching for functional issues. Not
swallowing properly, having missing teeth, or teeth that do not close together correctly can all
cause problems that can be avoided with early detection.
Not brushing and flossing teeth every day can cause periodontal disease. Periodontal disease
opens up a doorway to heart disease, bone disease, internal infection, stomach problems, and
even brain infections. All these are well documented in scientific journals. If a patient needs any
cardiac surgical procedure, the surgeon will want the mouth to be healthy before they perform
the surgery.
Preventive dentistry also is for a child to have a normal swallowing habit. If a child has adenoid
or tonsillitis problems, he or she may not have a normal swallowing habit. The airway will be
restricted, and the child may develop obstructive sleep apnea well into adulthood. Bring the child
in for a pediatrician to evaluate the situation. Successful treatment now will do the child a great
favor in the future when adult.
Another factor in preventive dentistry is the early detection of malocclusion. Malocclusion
comes in many forms. For a child, the malocclusion can be caused by an abnormal tongue habit
and mouth breathing resulting from obstructive sleep apnea.
For an adult, malocclusion can be a manifestation from childhood mouth breathing and or an
abnormal tongue habit. Another major cause is missing teeth. Not replacing missing teeth may
eventually cause malocclusion. Malocclusion can destroy the muscle balance of the oral-facial
muscles. Oral-facial muscle imbalances will cause different types of headaches. Muscle related
headaches can be painful enough that often time patients will believe they have a migraine.
Treating oral-facial headaches can provide a better quality of life.
A combination of malocclusion and oral-facial imbalances may be a significant cause of
TMJ/TMD problems.
In conclusion:
1. Make sure your children have a normal swallowing habit and breathe through
the nose and not through the mouth. This helps them grow up strong and healthy.
2. Brushing and flossing your teeth every day will save you from a lot of pain, and a lot of money. The simple solution is to just brush the teeth you want to keep. Not flossing is like not washing
between your toes. So brush and floss your teeth daily to prevent a range of health problems.