How to Protect Your Long-Term Oral and Overall Health

Dental pain is no fun. No one wants to find an emergency dentist on the weekend or be stuck with pain until an appointment opens up. A small cavity, irritated gum or cracked tooth can become a much larger health and financial problem when treatment is delayed.

That’s why regular dental care matters, especially for veterans who may already be balancing medical appointments, medications, family responsibilities and the logistics that come with military life.

It can be tempting to put off a dental appointment when nothing hurts. But preventive dental care is designed to catch problems while they’re still manageable – before they become an emergency.

What’s Included in Preventive Dental Care

Preventive dental care isn’t only brushing your teeth and going to the dentist when something hurts. It includes other daily habits and professional care designed to catch problems early.

Preventive care includes daily at-home oral hygiene, professional cleanings, X-rays, oral cancer screenings and fluoride treatments when recommended.

The goal is simple: find problems early, when they’re often easier and less costly to treat.

The Daily Habits That Matter Most

What you do consistently at home can significantly affect your teeth and gums, making it just as important as sitting in the dentist’s chair.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends several basic habits for maintaining good oral health:

• Brush twice a day. Use fluoride toothpaste and brush for about two minutes each time. Don’t rush through it – make sure you clean all surfaces of your teeth.
• Clean between your teeth daily. Flossing is one option, but interdental brushes or other tools may work better for you. The important thing is to clean the areas between your teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach.
• Replace your toothbrush regularly. A worn toothbrush won’t clean as effectively, so replace your toothbrush when the bristles become worn.
• Watch the sugar. It’s not just about how much sugar you eat or drink. Frequent exposure to sugary foods and drinks gives bacteria more opportunities to produce acids that contribute to tooth decay.
• Drink enough water. Water can help keep your mouth from drying out and rinse away food particles.
• Take care of dentures. If you wear dentures, clean them as directed and remove them as your dentist recommends.
• Avoid tobacco. Smoking and smokeless tobacco can significantly increase the risk of oral health problems.

Preventive Visits Are About More Than Cleaning

If you think a dental appointment is simply a cleaning, you may be missing one of its most valuable benefits.

During a routine visit, a dentist or dental hygienist may notice changes you haven’t seen or felt yourself. That could include an early cavity, signs of gum disease or a cracked tooth that hasn’t started hurting yet.

A dental professional may also identify signs of dry mouth, gum inflammation or other changes that you may not notice yourself. Some of these symptoms may point to an overall health issue that has you making an appointment with your primary care manager.

That’s one reason routine dental visits matter even when your teeth feel fine. Pain isn’t always the first sign that something is wrong.

I had an interesting experience when visiting a new dentist after a military move. She found a tooth with a serious cavity that the previous dentist had missed. She had to test the tooth to make sure it was still alive. It was – ouch! But it reminded me why those routine appointments matter. If I had skipped that appointment because nothing hurt, things may have ended differently.

Your Dental Care Needs Are Personal

No universal dental schedule works for everyone. How often you need dental care depends on your individual health, oral health history and risk factors.

For veterans, that may include conditions or circumstances such as:

• Diabetes or cardiovascular disease
• Tobacco use
• Medications that contribute to dry mouth
• Dental trauma
• Dentures, implants or bridges
• Limited dexterity or mobility
• Anxiety related to dental treatment

For example, someone taking medication that causes dry mouth may need to take additional steps to protect their teeth. Someone with diabetes may need to pay particular attention to gum health. And someone with dentures or dental implants may have different maintenance needs than someone with natural teeth.

Rather than assuming you need to visit the dentist once or twice a year because that’s what someone else does, ask your dentist how often you should be seen based on your individual needs.

If you’re a tobacco user, the VA offers smoking and tobacco cessation resources for veterans, including 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838). If smokeless tobacco is your concern, you can also find resources for quitting smokeless tobacco.

When Not to Wait for a Routine Appointment

Preventive care is important, but some dental problems shouldn’t wait for your next scheduled cleaning.

Contact a dental professional promptly if you experience:

• Facial swelling
• Fever accompanied by dental pain
• A dental injury or knocked-out tooth
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Severe or worsening pain
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• A sore or lesion in your mouth that doesn’t heal

Some of these symptoms can indicate a dental infection or another problem requiring prompt attention.

Difficulty breathing or swallowing, significant facial swelling or other potentially serious symptoms may require emergency medical attention.

And don’t let a symptom’s disappearance convince you that the problem is gone. Dental pain can sometimes come and go even when an underlying problem remains.

Making Prevention Affordable

Cost is a real consideration when deciding whether to schedule a dental appointment. But delaying preventive care can sometimes mean dealing with a more expensive problem later.

If you have dental insurance, review your plan to understand which services it covers and any limitations. Using an in-network provider when appropriate can also help reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

If you know you’ll need dental work, ask your dentist for a written treatment estimate before beginning major procedures. That allows you to understand what the treatment will cost and what your insurance may cover.

It’s also worth scheduling covered preventive services during your plan year rather than letting those benefits go unused.

Start Before Something Hurts

It’s easy to think about dental care as something you need when there’s a problem. But the most effective dental care often begins before something hurts.

No single dental schedule works for everyone. Talk with your dentist about how often you should be seen and what you can do at home to protect your teeth and gums.

While the dentist’s office isn’t my favorite place, I know that taking care of my teeth and gums is important. In fact, I’m one of those people who needs to go more frequently than every six months. My dentist recommends a cleaning every four months, and I begrudgingly agreed.

It’s worth it. Taking care of my teeth now gives me a better chance of having a healthy smile – and a healthier future.