I have encountered many folks over the years that often do not understand why their teeth are having problems. People come in with cavities, fractured teeth, infected teeth, and loose teeth. Many of these people have had extensive dental work done over the years, they see their dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and checkups, they brush their teeth at least twice a day, they floss once a day, and they use mouth rinses. Patients often don’t understand why their efforts and investments have resulted in them needing dental extractions. It is frustrating to lose a tooth. Any time we put a good deal of effort into something just to see it fail, disappointment is hard to avoid.
Dentistry aside, the reality is that life as we know does not last forever. A person who receives a heart transplant does not become immortal. A brand-new car does not stay brand new and never breaks, despite doing oil changes and maintenance.
When it comes to dentistry, dental hygiene visits and checkups are like oil changes and basic maintenance. If this is kept up with, large problems can often be avoided. Small problems can be addressed early, but sometimes larger problems may be found.
We all receive teeth naturally. Some of us do have real genetic problems with our teeth, and some of us may have grown up in areas with no exposure to fluoride in drinking water. There are even people who may not develop all their teeth. Some of us may not have grown up with the opportunity to receive good dental care.
The fact of the matter is that we all have bacteria in our mouth that can cause problems. These bacteria love feeding from sugar and simple carbohydrates, and they love finding places to hide. When a person gets a small cavity and it is filled, the bacteria do not leave the mouth. The filling itself eventually can succumb to decay. This results in a larger filling or perhaps a crown. Sometimes teeth may need root canal treatment to save them. These things all buy time. Hopefully, lots of time, but that isn’t always the case. Dentures wear down and lose their fit over time. Some of these things we have some control over, some things we don’t.
I wanted to write this article to not be pessimistic but to let people know they are not alone in their frustrations. People may often say “what am I doing wrong”. As a dental professional I am not here to judge. I’m here to help. Many things we encounter in life are out of our control. There are forms of tooth replacement, like bridges and implants, that can help restore missing teeth; however, these are things that also buy time. If your dentist refers you to our oral surgery office, we will do our best to see you through the process and keep you comfortable.
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