Dental health is important. Numerous studies show that it can avoid heart attack, stroke, low birth weight babies, and more. Unfortunately, most physicians do not act like the mouth is part of the human body and rarely refer patients to dentists. However, the Surgeon General has informed American doctors that it's important in preventing many medical problems.

           The Mayo brothers, great American physicians who founded the Mayo Clinic, believed that excellent dental health could extend a patient's life ten years. If you could buy an extra year of life, would you? Patients always answer yes. However, when given this chance they don't! Most patients wait until something is wrong before seeking the assistance of a dentist. Living longer requires taking care of yourself now before something is wrong. In dentistry, this is called preventative dentistry. Preventative dentistry avoids dental problems. When asked to spend money for something that doesn't hurt, patients usually say no.

          Most people die with hundreds of thousands of hoarded dollars in their savings accounts. This money is of no use to them after death. However, only a small portion of these funds could have provided enough dental health to achieve excellent dental health while they were living. Many dental patients have the misunderstanding that the only treatment they should get is what's covered by their dental insurance. Many neglected to obtain care for years and when they finally seek help they refuse to invest the funds to achieve excellent dental health.

          Excellent dental health involves a combination of professional and home care . Teeth spend very little time in the dental office. Much of a patient's dental success involves performing good oral hygiene at home by brushing and flossing several times each day.