Dental cavities, or tooth decay, in permanent teeth is the most common health condition globally, affecting over 3.5 billion people, according to the World Health Organisation.
Dental cavities, or tooth decay, in permanent teeth is the most common health condition globally, affecting over 3.5 billion people, according to the World Health Organisation.
This major healthcare burden can however be largely avoided with regular dental check-ups and good dental hygiene.
So says Dr Oelie van Schalkwyk, dental director of the Netcare primary care division, which includes Netcare Medicross, who finds that many people mistakenly go to the dentist only when they already have problems with their teeth.
“The universally accepted interval between dental check-ups is six months. By visiting the dentist regularly you will help to ensure the early detection and timeous treatment of conditions such as dental decay and gum disease,” he says.
“This means that treatment will be mostly painless, quick and inexpensive when compared to costly specialised procedures, which are often necessary when dental issues are not addressed early on. Furthermore, this helps to promote oral and general health and wellbeing, not to mention the long-term retention of teeth.”
Old fears still posing a risk to oral and general health
Van Schalkwyk notes that in addition to the lack of awareness around the importance of regular dental check-ups, there are also those individuals who still perceive going to the dentist as being painful and traumatic, to the point where some will avoid a visit to the dentist even when in terrible agony.
“The vast majority of the time, these patients could have spared themselves the pain, the additional treatment and the subsequent costs had they simply scheduled regular check-ups. It is ironic, frustrating and sad for a dentist to see someone in agony because their fear of pain is what prevented them from seeking dental care in the first place,” he says.
“Over and above the premature loss of, or damage to, teeth, gums or other oral structures, avoiding the dentist’s chair can also mean that important red flags for other serious health conditions are overlooked.
“For example, gum disease can indicate an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, as this can result in a bacterial infection in the bloodstream which, in turn, can affect parts of the heart.
Your dentist may also be able to identify any potential oral cancer concerns, which you may otherwise miss until the condition has progressed much further,” he explains.
Whatever the reasons preventing regular dental visits, Van Schalkwyk points out that the benefits outweigh any apprehensions.
He therefore advises parents to begin familiarising their children with going to the dentist as early on as about six months after the first tooth pushes through, as tooth decay can occur any time from then on.
“Taking your child to the dentist is the best way to prevent problems such as tooth decay and malocclusion, or crooked teeth, from a young age. Dentists can also teach parents how to clean their child’s teeth properly and identify their fluoride needs. As they get older, fissure sealant – a durable sealing resin agent applied to decay-prone fissures on the chewing surfaces of permanent teeth – is highly recommended the moment…
