Did you know that visiting the dentist is probably one of the health care routines that generates the most reluctance among the population? The famous fear of the dentist, known as odontophobia, is a very common symptom. In fact, according to the study ‘Lose the fear‘ produced by the Vitaldent group, the 20% of those surveyed say they suffer from it when they go for a consultation. However, due to the World Oral Health Daythe leading platform in oral health wants to remind us how important it is to take care of our oral health to prevent multiple diseases and enjoy good general health.
“Dentistry phobia is a fairly common problem among patients who come to our clinic, but it is still a product of suggestion. We must remember that dentistry has advanced a lot and we have technologies that allow us to make treatments less uncomfortable and less painful for patients”, explains Dr. Gustavo Camañas, Coordinator of General Dentistry at Vitaldent. In this way, 75% of Spaniards who say they feel afraid declare that it would comfort them receive more information by the doctor, hygienist or auxiliary about the treatment or the level of pain or discomfort that they will experience. “Explaining the diagnosis and the proposed treatment after it in a clear and patient way is essential to reassure him and mitigate all those fears that may arise during his visit.”, points out Dr. Camañas.
Professionals warn that Periodontal or gum diseases are one of the most common pathologies among the population, and if not treated in time, they can cause tooth loss or even the development of other diseases such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes or stroke. “Periodontal infections, such as gingivitis or periodontitis, can damage vital organs and favor the development of serious diseases. On the contrary, the same thing happens, since suffering from certain diseases can directly affect oral health”, explains Dr. Clara Esteban, Medical Director of Vitaldent.
Keys to take care of the health of our gums
It is important to pay special attention to the appearance of our gums because their fundamental function is to cover the root of the tooth, protecting it against the possible aggression of bacteria and making the teeth remain fixed when chewing. If these are healthy, they are usually pink or pale red; in the opposite case, the gums become inflamed, red and begin to bleed, this being the first phase of a disease called gingivitis. If not treated in time, this infection worsens, becoming periodontitis, an irreversible infection.
Among the causes of this disease is, mainly, the accumulation of bacteria It derives from the lack of proper dental hygiene. For this reason, experts recommend brushing our teeth after each meal to eliminate the bacterial plaque that accumulates when we eat and changing our toothbrush every 3 months to avoid the proliferation of bacteria and fungi that remain on the bristles and that can cause oral infections. . In addition, the use of dental floss once a day is also advisable, since it thoroughly cleans the spaces between the teeth and removes tartar and the accumulation of bacteria that negatively affects our gums.
Another of the most frequent causes of gingivitis is a lack of the necessary nutrients. Therefore, be aware of what we eat and eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, dairy, and protein, and avoiding soft drinks alcoholic beverages, as well as soft drinks and sugary drinks, It is essential to have a healthy mouth and be able to combat this type of disease.
About Vitaldent
With 31 years of activity in the market, Vitaldent is currently the leading Spanish group in the dental health sector. Vitaldent clinics provide a comprehensive diagnosis to their patients, taking care of their oral health with innovative treatments and high-quality care. Vitaldent’s mission is to make quality dentistry accessible to society with the most advanced technology, the best treatments and professionals with proven experience. This year, the Oral Health group has achieved the Best Service of the Year seal in the category of dental clinics, awarded by Trade of the Year thanks to the evaluation of almost 4,000 Vitaldent patients, who have revealed that the satisfaction index of those surveyed stands at a 9.3 out of 10.
Vitaldent, which has a workforce of close to 3,000 employees and 2,000 collaborating dentists, has the GPTW certification, a seal that certifies it as a Great Place to Work.
Advent International, one of the world’s largest and most experienced private equity firms, is the majority shareholder in Vitaldent. Advent International has been operating in Spain for almost 30 years and has 6 professionals in charge of making investments in the country and 80 employees in Europe.