Issue 34
In my office, for those who need it, we promote dental cleanings more often than every 6 months. Having a regular dental visit every 6 months is considered by many “regular dental care.” The fact ofthematter is that I have some patients I don’t schedule for re-care visits but once a year. Forthem, this is adequate. Others are at such high risk for decay or progressing gum disease that every three months is just barely enough. Does dental insurance pay forthese more frequent dental cleanings? No,they would rather pay for more fillings, etc. There are two times when people are most at risk for dental disease: Whenthey are children and whenthey seniors. These two groups either forget to brush or sometimes can’t brush. Children seem to gettheir hands on carbohydrates (sugars) more often and seniors suffer fromtheconsequences of dryer mouths which makethem highly susceptible to tooth decay. Seniors also losetheability to brush due to physical ailments or they simply don’t remember anything including dental hygiene. One ofthehardest things for a senior to hear in my office is that all oftheir crowns have decay aroundthem andthey need to be replaced orthey need dentures. A retired senior usually has no dental insurance and a fixed budget based on Medicare, orthelucky ones have a retirement plan. I’ve written before abouttheaccelerated activity of dental plaque in a dry mouth. The cause for less saliva is due to disease orthecommon side effects of blood pressure, diabetes, or most other medications that seniors take. That is why I have, for some time, been motivating my senior dental patients to come in more frequently and see my wonderful hygienist, Joni, for a good cleaning. “Accelerated dental care” is worth it.
Phillip Hall is a practicing general dentist in St. George. He is also head of the St. George Craniofacial Treatment Center, and operates St. George Dental Careers, a successful dental assisting school. Board Certified Diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Appointments for general dentistry or dentures call 656-1111. For sleep apnea appliances or TMJ problems call 634-8338.