CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH By Douglas B. Keck, DMD, Dental Director, Healthcare Network
Why You Should Keep Dental Appointments During COVID-19
T
he strain of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused families to delay seeking care for oral health issues due to job loss, subsequent loss of health insurance, and safety concerns. Like many people in our community, you may have skipped your dental appointment. Here’s the problem with that: Dental issues don’t go away on their own. On the contrary, because oral diseases are progressive and compounding, untreated dental problems considerably worsen over time. When we think about primary health, dental health is often overlooked, or considered non-essential, especially during the pandemic. With established links between oral health and overall health, routine dental care is imperative to staying healthy and preventing oral infections that can weaken the body’s immune system. For children routine dental care is vital because, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, “by age
8, more than 50% of children have had a cavity in their primary (baby) teeth.” People are often surprised to learn that tooth decay (or cavities) can develop as soon as a child’s first tooth comes in. Even more surprising, cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases in children in the United States – four times more common in adolescents than asthma. Yet, tooth decay is preventable. But aren’t baby teeth temporary? Yes, but untreated cavities can progress into tooth infections that can spread to the jaw and face or, in extreme cases, the brain. With dental decay and pain, children are three times more likely to miss school and have impaired development, lower educational performance, poor behavior, diminished quality of life, illness, and more. Treating tooth decay is more effective and less invasive when addressed as soon as possible. Want another reason why you shouldn’t skip your dental appointment? Oral issues can be an indication that something else is wrong. Systemic conditions such as diabetes generally first become clear as mouth lesions or other oral problems. In fact, according to the Academy of General Dentistry, more than 90% of all systemic diseases produce oral signs and symptoms. Routine dental appointments can help with early detection and better treatment options for serious health conditions like oral cancers and gum diseases. In a time when maintaining your health is vital to combating the virus, electing to postpone your dental appointment may lead to serious unintended consequences and ultimately result in costly, avoidable, and more complex dental procedures. If worries about COVID-19 are keeping you from your dental appointments, call and ask what safety precautions your dental office is taking to help maintain the well-being and safety of patients. Healthcare Network offers a sliding fee scale for patients needing financial assistance. To request an appointment call 239658-3000. For details visit https://healthcareswfl.org.
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NEAPOLITANfamily • February 2021