I’m not in pain! Why should I fix my tooth?
- Robin – Clinical Assistant
That’s a great question! We get this question a lot from patients. Especially when we see an infection in the nerve of the tooth. I have to admit I would question why I would need to spend a $1000 on something that didn’t even hurt. There are two main diseases we treat everyday that almost never have any symptoms and never heal on their own. It’s one of the good/bad things (depending on how you look at) about dentistry. We can diagnose several health problems before you ever have any sensation. Decay can be present in a tooth for a very long time before you notice anything. You can have periodontal disease without having any of the obvious indicators. This means that by the time you start to feel something, most likely that feeling will be PAIN.
PAIN= $$$$$, time and inconvenience
So the next time you’re in the dental chair and the dentist tells you he/she can repair a problem you didn’t even know you had, it’s to save you from the unexpected hassle of a painful and expensive trip to the dental office. Prevention is the best insurance around. Being proactive about dental care helps minimize long-term costs.
It’s also important to realize there are many factors that play into your oral health; lifestyle, habits, overall health, diet and genetics. For some people the realities are they will always need more professional assistance than the next guy, but regular hygiene visits and good homecare habits can help you be in control of your oral health and dental future. Can we help you? Come visit Dr. Artemenko in Sterling Heights!
Listerine Documentary
Recently an online video clip from the Today Show aired that had an interview with actor, Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother). He was promoting an upcoming film project but what caught our attention was his mention of a Listerine “infomercial” he recently narrated. If you click on the link, you can watch a brief documentary entitled, “This is Your Mouth”. Each time the video is viewed, $1.00 is donated to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation. As a parent, what better way to advocate oral health education and help eliminate the nation-wide epidemic of a very preventable condition known as pediatric gum disease? We encourage you to spend 5 minutes of your time to watch this documentary. It reminds us all how oral health and your general health go hand in hand. By the way, there are also money savings coupons that you can print out from the site. How convenient is that?
Dr. John Artemenko, Sterling Heights MI
Oral Hygiene Care
ORAL HYGIENE CARE
Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth not only enable you to look and feel good, they make it possible to eat and speak properly. Good oral health is important to your overall well-being. Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop.
In between regular visits to the dentist, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems. These include:
- Brush thoroughly twice a day and floss daily
- Eat a balanced diet and limit snacks between meals
- Use dental products which contain fluoride, including toothpaste
- Rinse with a fluoride mouth rinse if advised to do so
- Make sure children under 12 drink fluoridated water or take a fluoride supplement if they live in a non-fluoridated area
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams
- Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months
The following are indications of good oral hygiene:
- Your teeth are clean and free of debris
- Gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss
- Bad breath is not a constant problem
Dr. John Artemenko, your friendly Sterling Heights, MI dentist
