What do you have planned for March 6 this year? Hopefully, it includes saying thank you to your dentist for the hard work they do! March 6 is National Dentist’s Day: an excellent day to pause and reflect on the importance of healthy teeth and say a word of thanks to the people who help make that happen. What is it exactly that makes dentists so important, you might be wondering? Why should we let them know we’re thankful? Here are just five reasons. 

Your teeth need them.

               This one’s pretty obvious. Without the care and oversight of dentists, our teeth would start to chip, decay, and even fall out entirely. Dentists do the careful work of ensuring that your teeth stay healthy and strong over a lifetime of wear and tear.

               The role of a dentist when it comes to your teeth is varied. While it’s usually a dental hygienist who cleans your teeth at your biannual visits, it’s the dentist who fills any cavities you might have, takes out teeth when they’re damaged, and performs other specialized procedures. A dentist’s work with your teeth falls broadly into three categories: preventative, restorative, and emergency work. As the Cleveland Clinic explains, preventative treatment for your teeth could be anything from sealants to fluoride treatments to dental x-rays or exams. Restorative work includes things like fillings, crowns, and dental implants. Emergency work could be a root canal, or even stepping up to take care of the mess when there’s a knocked-out tooth.

Your gums need them. 

               It’s more than just your teeth that need the dentist, though. Dentists serve a vital role in caring for the health of your gums, as well. This is perhaps more important than ever, since gum disease poses a major danger to American adults. The CDC calls tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease “the two biggest threats to dental health.” They report that nearly half of Americans over age 30 have periodontitis in some form.

One dentistry remarks how “Young patients don’t usually show signs of gum disease because the beginning of infection can be painless.” This makes it all the more crucial to be visiting the dentist and receiving their wisdom and oversight! Gum disease can creep in undetected. Without the watchful eye of a trained professional, plaque and tartar can build up, resulting in a painful situation that’s difficult to resolve. We should be thankful, then, for the oversight of dentists who can help to prevent us from getting to this point. 

Your overall health needs them! 

               Could you see this one coming? It’s not just your teeth, and it’s not even just your gums, either. As it turns out, your whole body is benefitted by proper oral health management. 

               Take gum disease, for instance. What happens if you were to never go to the dentist, never get anything checked out, even though you knew you probably should? Well, let’s remind ourselves what gum disease is, first. When plaque and tartar pile up, they start to release bacteria that in turn infects the gums, producing chronic inflammation. Symptoms show up as bad breath, swollen or bleeding gums, loose or sensitive teeth, or pain while chewing.

               So, think about what would happen to the rest of the body if this were to take place. As the Locust Family Dentistry so aptly put it, “Chronic inflammation is our body’s enemy.” They note that, “It becomes a problem when the body starts to attack healthy cells. This is also the reason why gum disease is linked to heart disease.” Studies back this up again and again. For instance, the American Heart Association found that in one study, “those who said they brushed less than twice a day for less than two minutes had a three-fold increased risk compared to those who said they brushed at least twice a day for at least two minutes.” And gum disease is just one example! The research goes on and on; oral health is linked to overall health in countless complex ways. The verdict is clear that taking care of oral health supports a better overall quality. We ought to be thankful to our dentists for helping us in that mission! 

It’s hard work. 

            Why else should we celebrate our dentists this National Dentist’s Day? Being a dentist takes hard work! Being a dentist requires a significant investment in your future up front. You must have graduated from an accredited dental school, which is, in almost all cases, a four-year process. Oh, and to get into dental school, you have to have to have earned your bachelor’s degree, which is usually another four years. Dental schools don’t accept just anyone, either. The acceptance rate is around 55%, meaning that many who apply simply won’t make the cut. Applicants must boast a strong undergrad GPA and strong scores on the dental school admittance test, known as the DAT. After serving time in both undergrad and dental school and earning either a DDS or DMD degree, prospective dentists undergo an exam to receive their license. Many dentists also choose to pursue a specialty, meaning further time spent in training.

                    All this talk of becoming a dentist should simply go to show that your dentist was willing to work hard and invest many years of his or her life into training in order to have the opportunity to serve you, their patient. In the day to day, being a dentist also requires a broad array of skills. It requires handling patients who may openly express their dislike of the dentist, their irritation at having to wait, their aggravation at the discomfort their teeth are causing them. It requires careful oversight of the administrative side of the business for those who run a private practice—a much larger job than most imagine. And of course, it requires competency in the skills of their profession: surgeries, cleanings, dental know-how. Though rewarding, this profession is certainly demanding, too.           

It means a lot to know you care.

               At the end of the day, dentists are just like us—regular people who like to be told that what they do is seen and appreciated. Without dentists, our teeth, gums, and overall health would suffer. These professionals have put in long years of training and long hours every day to ensure that our teeth are healthy and strong. The least we can do is let them know that we value what they do. 

               This National Dentist’s Day, consider writing a thank-you note to your dentist (or even your whole dental team) and dropping it off at the office. You could include a bouquet of flowers, a gift card to a restaurant or spa, or a plate of homemade baked goods. It doesn’t have to be something fancy or expensive. Any small token or gesture of appreciation and thanks will go a long way to show them that you care, and that you’re thankful for all they do. If you need to schedule your next appointment, please contact our office today. Happy National Dentist’s Day from us to you!