The Science of Dentistry and Why You Should Care

We’ve heard a lot recently about the impact science can make on decisions. And when it comes to health and wellness, particularly in dentistry, science is the gold standard. When something is backed by science, results are better understood, and therefore decisions are made based on evidence. 

Think about it. You go to the dentist, and you find out you have gum recession. Depending on the cause and severity, your dentist will provide recommendations to try to help stop it from worsening. But why did the gum recession happen in the first place? Treating the symptom is a temporary solution. If you want to solve a problem, you must understand why it happened. That’s where science comes in. 

Understanding the root cause of a problem is probably the most essential piece of knowledge a healthcare provider, including a dentist, can have. We’ve heard stories about patients who were told they needed certain treatments, but there was no evidence that the treatment would help their situation. Healthcare is expensive, and it is more important than ever to be an informed patient. To know everything you can before making a decision. That way, you can ask the right questions and make decisions as an active participant in your healthcare and dentistry planning. 

At Mill Point Dental, the foundation of our practice is technology. We utilize a variety of tools as a way to bridge the knowledge gap. Instead of making decisions without evidence, we ensure our dentists and patients have as much information as possible to inform treatment decisions. Also, our dentists are life long learners and advance their education by taking classes at the renowned Kois Center.  

If you have a healthy mouth, should you care about all this? The answer is a resounding yes. Just because you don’t have any issues today, doesn’t mean you won’t tomorrow. Having a dentist who can monitor and track changes in your oral health using technology you can see helps alleviate the need for expensive and sometimes invasive treatments down the road. 

Knowing the cause and effect of the things you do can be likened to a crystal ball. 

If you know that clenching your jaw can not only cause severe headaches but can also wear down your teeth and even cause them to crack, you’d want to try to stop doing it. Knowledge is power. Life is full of choices, and you are the lucky one that gets to make them. 

In jaw clenching, some dentists will recommend getting Botox injected into your masseter muscles that run down your cheeks in the hopes that it reduces or alleviates your clenching. This solution, while often quite effective, is temporary. Future injections are required. Other dentists will want to figure out how to stop it altogether. Perhaps there is a problem with your jaw’s alignment, or maybe rheumatoid arthritis or tetanus is the culprit. Finding a long term solution isn’t always fun but is usually the best decision to prevent further damage down the line. 

Choose a dentistry team that recognizes the significance of science and evidence to inform treatment decisions. Know your options. The right dentist wants you to ask questions. They want you to care. Ready to learn more? Schedule an appointment with one of our dentists today.