This famous quote by Benjamin Franklin is engraved on the walk way of the University of Pennsylvania which he also founded in 1740. While the original intention applies to the issue of “safety”, the quote relates very well to the foundation of dental health. The key to the sustainability of the dentition is prevention.

Many people spend so much money on things like hair care, skin care, and other cosmetic care; yet they don’t pay attention to their teeth because they may not have dental insurance. The truth is that dental insurance companies could careless if you lose your teeth. Their objective is simply to minimize the amount of money that they have to pay out in order to maximize their profits. That is the reason why so many dental procedures are not covered by insurance companies. It is our job to take control of our own well being.

Neglecting the teeth can create complex issues that can be expensive and time consuming to fix. In some cases the damages can be irreversible. Just as important as our hair and our skin, our teeth deserve as much attention and care. Before we allow the dentition to break down, we must reevaluate our priorities and make dental preventive care a part of our daily lives.