Something to sink your teeth into

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Something to sink your teeth into
October 16, 2007
By Ashley Petry
IndyStar.com

What do you imagine when you think about going to the dentist? Is it the menacing roar of a dental drill? The pain of a procedure to repair yet another cavity?

If drills and drool are your vision of a dental visit, youÌre not alone. About 12 percent of adults experience high levels of anxiety about going to the dentist, according to the American Dental Association.

In reality, scary dental visits are becoming a thing of the past. TodayÌs dentists focus instead on preventive measures, such as cleanings and fluoride treatments.

ÏWe are one of the few branches of medicine where regular treatment becomes a preventive,Ó said Dr. Matt Miller, a Cumberland dentist who recently was appointed to the Indiana State Board of Dentistry. ÏYou truly can eliminate most cavities.Ó

Common dental problems
During visits, dentists examine two areas of the mouth: hard tissues Û the teeth Û and soft tissues, such as the tongue and gums.

In an examination of hard tissues, ÏyouÌre looking for cavities, lost fillings, breaks, chips Û anything like that,Ó Miller said.

With the soft tissues, dentists primarily look for evidence of two problems: periodontal disease, also called gum disease, and oral cancer.

Screening for oral cancer might be the most important part of a dental exam. Only half of patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than five years, but early detection improves the odds, according to the American Dental Association

The disease often starts as a tiny sore or spot in the mouth, so small the patient doesnÌt notice it. Oral cancer occurs most often among tobacco users and is more likely to strike people age 40 and older.

As serious as oral cancer is, hypochondriacs have little else to fear from a standard dental exam. Dentists rarely diagnose systemic problems such as heart disease or diabetes.

ÏFor the most part, the mouth isnÌt necessarily going to be your first place for determining most systemic diseases,Ó Miller said. ÏThere are things to look for that may raise some questions, but the examination isnÌt necessarily focused on that.Ó
That doesnÌt mean dentists focus only on teeth and gums.

ÏI was taught when I was in dental school that weÌre responsible for the shoulders up, so youÌre also looking at lips, the side of the neck, the side of the head,Ó Miller said. ÏWe donÌt diagnose that, but we refer them to someone else.Ó

What to expect at your appointment
You already know you should go to the dentist every six months, but what are the dentist and hygienist actually doing to your teeth and gums during your semiannual visit? Because of the modern focus on preventive dentistry, most of the treatment time is devoted to cleaning the teeth and removing plaque and tartar that can lead to cavities.

Your dentist will recommend periodic X-rays to help identify problems Û such as tumors and decay between teeth Û that arenÌt yet visible to the naked eye.

The hygienist might do periodontal charting, which measures whether and by how much the gums have receded from the teeth Û a sign of periodontal disease.

To prevent future problems, you might receive a fluoride treatment to help harden tooth enamel and prevent cavities.

Finally, many dentists schedule time to educate patients about their oral hygiene, said Dr. Christine Borkowski, an Indianapolis dentist. If youÌve ever gotten a lecture about your flossing habits, you already know that.

Preventing problems
Your dentist and hygienist are right: Flossing can make a big difference. With a little bit of effort, in fact, your dental visit can be worry-free.

To prevent tooth decay, the American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily and eating a balanced diet that limits snacks between meals. Other home treatments include fluoride or antimicrobial mouth rinses, which can help prevent tooth decay and gingivitis.

Your dentist also might recommend sealants, which create a physical barrier between teeth and cavity-causing plaque.

They most commonly are used on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, which have hard-to-clean pits and grooves.

Even people with perfect dental hygiene, however, should visit the dentist every six months.

ÏThe best thing you can do is get care on a regular basis, because then it becomes easy to maintain instead of trying to catch up,Ó Miller said.

Copyright 2006