WHEN WE CONSIDER MANY OF OUR ANCESTORS FROM GENERATIONS PAST, dental care was almost non existent. Chances were very slim that someone could keep their natural, healthy teeth over the course of their entire lifetime. Thankfully, it’s different today. Remarkable technologies and advanced materials, coupled with Dr. Jane Lilly’s and Dr. Kevin Lilly’s artistic eyes and extensive training greatly increase the likelihood that you and your family WILL keep your smiles for life!
Sometimes, when our team members visit with you (our valued patients and friends) we see that making decisions about dental treatments isn’t easy. To help you better think through dental-related decisions, we’ve set up a simple little framework below that we’d like to talk about over the next few posts. We hope that this will help bring additional clarity to your decision making. And of course, we know that such decisions will always YOURS to make. We just want to be sure that you have the best information.
For purposes of the next couple of posts, and last week’s post, we’ve divided “The Lifetime of My Smile” into four phases:
- Those 1–20 Year Old Smiles
- Those 20–40 Year Old Smiles
- Those 40–65 Year Old Smiles
- Those 65+ Year Old Smiles
In addition to reading about YOUR smile’s current phase, you probably have family members, loved ones, and friends who are in the other phases as well. We invite you to share this information with others!
Must do’s – Should do’s – Could do’s
Each day—consciously and subconsciously—we prioritize our decision making in life by “must do’s,” “should do’s,” and “could do’s.” Here at Lilly Family Dentistry our goal is always to make sure you are comfortable with each oral health decision you make, and that you see the differences between “musts, shoulds, and coulds”.
And, these lists ARE NOT exhaustive—and, there are no absolutely right or wrong answers to your musts, shoulds, or coulds when it comes to your own personal oral health and appearance. Everyone has different priorities. Think of this blog post series as a starting point! And if you have questions, contact us and we’ll chat.
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Today, Our Post Is About 20–40 Year Old Smiles
IT MAY BE TEMPTING DURING THIS STAGE IN LIFE to skip or all together procrastinate regular check ups because “nothing hurts.” However, too often, what you don’t see causes the most trouble in the long run. For many people, this stage also represents the most active in terms of significant, long-term social interaction and career development.
The Must Do’s
- Regular check ups for early signs of gum disease, cracked teeth, infections, cavities or potential problems with fillings. Most things like this can be reversed when caught early.
- Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer with the worst five-year survival rate of all major cancers. It can go unnoticed without exams.
- Gum disease can raise a pregnant woman’s risk of developing some dangerous conditions—one of which is called preeclampsia, which can lead to eclampsia, or seizures late in pregnancy or after delivery. Eclampsia can cause organ damage and can be VERY serious.
- Wisdom teeth often make their presence felt during this time of life and can disrupt one’s bite causing long-term problems.
The Should Do’s & Could Do’s
- A healthy, drop-dead-gorgeous smile compliments your career and social life. Is there some little thing that would make you more confident when you smile? Drs. Kevin and Jane Lilly are ready to help.
- Surveys show that 92% of North Americans agree that an attractive smile is a crucial social asset. Does your social life suffer because you’re uncomfortable smiling?
- The same survey shows that 74% believe that an unattractive smile hurts a person’s chances of career success. During this time in life, when most people are absorbed in career development, have you taken the time to consider the confident difference a great smile could make?
- Consider how the “smile of your dreams” might literally change your life—far more comfortably and affordably than ever before.
Here at Lilly Family Dentistry, Dr. Jane and Dr. Kevin (and our entire team) want to be your oral health partners for life! Be sure to connect with us on our Facebook microsite, if you haven’t already.