Oral Health as Preventative Care: Why Consistently Matters
Written By: Sahannah Seemungal and Eshrat Quader
Routine dental visits are often overlooked, but they play a vital role in protecting not just our oral health, but our overall well-being. Dr. Artem Mkrtichyan, a family dentist who serves primarily a Spanish-speaking community in Perth Amboy along the New York and New Jersey border, shared insights on why consistent dental care matters and what can potentially happen when visits are delayed or skipped entirely.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), oral diseases are a major public health concern, affecting millions of people around the world. These conditions range from common issues such as cavities and gingivitis to more serious problems such as oral cancer and periodontitis, a more advanced form of gum infection. When dental care is neglected, quality of life can decline, health outcomes worsen, and treatment becomes more complex and expensive.
Dr. Mkrtichyan emphasizes that many dental issues develop quietly initially. “Most oral issues don’t cause noticeable symptoms in their early stages, " he explains. “That is why regular checkups are so important as they allow us to catch problems early on, before they become serious.”
He offers a simple example. During a routine dental exam, x-rays can detect a small cavity, a hole in the tooth caused by decay, that hasn’t caused pain yet. In these cases, treatment is often straightforward as a small filling can resolve the issue relatively quickly. However, if routine visit are skipped, that same cavity can progress deeper into the tooth and reach the pulp, the inner part of the tooth where the nerve and blood vessels are located. At that point, treatment becomes far more extensive, often requiring a root canal followed by a crown to restore the tooth.
Dr. Mkrtichyan also notes that not every early cavity needs immediate procedural work such as drilling. If decay is only in the enamel, the hard and outer protective layer of the tooth, it may be possible to halt or even reverse the process. “Enamel has the ability to remineralize”, he states. “If we catch it early, improving oral hygiene, such as utilizing better flossing techniques, can prevent the cavity from progressing.” This highlights how early detection can sometimes eliminate the need for invasive procedures altogether.
Furthermore, Dr. Mkrtichyan has also noticed seasonal patterns in how patients approach dental care. In the month leading up to the end of the year, patients are often more proactive about addressing recommended treatments. After the holidays, however, appointment volumes tend to slow, and some care is postponed. Changes in dental insurance coverage at the start of the new year can contribute to this shift. As patients may feel uncertain about their benefits or delay scheduling visits early in the cycle. These patterns highlight how timing and coverage logistics can influence when patients seek care, even when treatment is recommended.
Access to care is another significant challenge to note. High costs and lack of insurance continue to be major barriers to maintaining optimal oral health, contributing to persistent disparities. Dr. Mkrtichyan works primarily with immigrant families, which many prioritize supporting their children, securing education, and meeting basic needs over their own dental care. He stressed that it’s not about blaming the patients but also recognizing that there are systemic issues within our healthcare system overall as dental care is expensive and many people are trying their best with limited resources and access to quality care.
Globally, these challenges are greatly recognized. The World Health Assembly has set a goal to ensure that 80% of the global population has access to essential oral healthcare services by 2030 through its Global Oral Health Action Plan. While this is promising, disparities in dental care persist due to factors such as income, health literacy, geographic location, and overall access to these services.
To close, Dr. Artem offers some practical tips on when patients should see a dentist outside of routine checkups. Tooth sensitivity to cold, sweet, or sour foods can be an early warning sign of cavities. Furthermore, he notes that patients don’t always need a full exam if cost is a concern. “We can focus on the specific tooth that’s bothering you,” he says, which can make visits more affordable and accessible.
Ultimately, regular dental visits support early detection, simpler treatment, and better long-term outcomes. They also reinforce the growing understanding that oral health is deeply connected to overall health. For anyone looking to protect their well-being and avoid preventable complications, staying consistent with dental care is an invaluable, and often underestimated, step toward a healthier future.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health Disparities in Oral Health. CDC,
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/oral_health_disparities/index.htm.
College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago. The Value of Preventive Oral Health Care. University of Illinois Chicago,
https://dentistry.uic.edu/news-stories/the-value-of-preventive-oral-health-care/.
Watt, Richard G., et al. Impact of Dental Visiting Patterns on Oral Health: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies. PubMed Central (PMC),
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3160366/.
University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry. The Long-Term Benefits of Regular Dental Check-Ups in Preventing Oral Diseases,
https://dentistry.uic.edu/news-stories/the-long-term-benefits-of-regular-dental-check-ups-in-preventing-oral-diseases/.
