You might notice that your child's teeth are getting a little crowded, or you might have been self-conscious about your own smile for a long time. An orthodontist straightens teeth, but your primary care doctor is in charge of all of your health, including your oral health. Your Direct Primary Care (DPC) doctor is very important in helping you find out about and get the care you need for a healthy smile and body, even though crooked teeth (malocclusion) are a dental problem.
When teeth are not in the right place, the dental term for this is malocclusion. This is a very common problem that can cause things like crowding, crooked teeth, spacing issues, and bite problems like an overbite or underbite.
Not Just a Cosmetic Problem: Many people get braces to make their smile look better, but it's important to know that crooked teeth can also be bad for your health. They can make it much harder to brush and floss well, which raises your risk of getting cavities and gum disease (periodontitis).
In some very bad cases, they can make it hard to chew or speak.
The Link Between the Mouth and the Body: Modern medicine understands that oral health is very important for overall health. Chronic inflammation from gum disease raises the risk of serious systemic diseases like heart disease, stroke, and problems with diabetes.
Your DPC doctor does not straighten teeth, give braces, or do any other dental work. They are your main health advocate and care coordinator, which means they help you with your oral health as a big part of your overall health. This is how your DPC doctor works with you:
Early detection and advice on what to expect: This is very important for kids' care because your DPC doctor is often the only doctor your child sees regularly.
Finding problems that are getting worse: Your doctor can see the first signs of developing malocclusion or crowding during regular well-child visits.
Giving timely advice: They can give important advice ahead of time. The American Association of Orthodontists, for instance, says that a child should see an orthodontist for the first time by the time they are 7 years old. Your DPC doctor can make sure you know about this important event and send you to the right person at the right time.
Teaching the "Why": Linking Oral and Overall Health: DPC's long, slow appointments give you time to have a real conversation about why taking care of your teeth and gums is so important for your health as a whole. They can tell you about the proven links between oral inflammation and heart disease risk, which will make you want to get and keep up with regular dental care.
A coordinated referral to a trusted dentist: Your DPC doctor can help you get to the dentist.
A Smooth Handoff: They can help you get a referral to a reliable local dentist or orthodontist for a full evaluation and treatment.
Working together for complicated patients: If you have a complicated medical condition, like a congenital heart defect, your DPC doctor can talk directly to the orthodontist to make sure the treatment plan is safe and right for you.
Case 1: Leo's DPC doctor notices that his adult teeth are coming in very close together at his annual well-child check-up when he is 7 years old. The doctor tells Leo's parents that this is the best time for him to have his first orthodontic checkup. Then, the doctor gives a referral to a local orthodontist that the patient trusts. This lets for early intervention that could make future treatment easier and more effective.
Case 2: David, 68, has high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. During a long DPC visit to talk about his chronic diseases, the doctor also sees that his gums are very inflamed. The doctor talks about how periodontal disease is strongly linked to worse outcomes for people with diabetes and heart disease. This makes David want to make an appointment with the dentist that he has been putting off for too long. His DPC doctor stresses that keeping his oral inflammation under control is an important part of his overall health plan.
Q: Can my DPC doctor put braces or clear aligners on me? A: No. Orthodontics is a very specialized branch of dentistry. Your DPC doctor is your main health care provider. They can tell when you or your child needs to see a dental specialist and help you get in touch with that care.
Q: Why is my primary care doctor talking about my teeth? A: Because your oral health is directly and scientifically linked to your overall systemic health. When your gums get inflamed, it can affect your heart, blood vessels, and blood sugar control all over your body. A good DPC doctor takes care of the whole person, and that includes what's going on in your mouth.
Q: How old should my child be when they get their first orthodontic check-up? A: The American Association of Orthodontists says that a child should have their first orthodontic screening by the time they turn 7. At this age, this doesn't mean they will get braces. It just lets an orthodontist see if there are any problems with how the jaw is growing or how the new teeth are lining up. This can sometimes make treatment easier and more effective later on.
DPC has a clear advantage in this common problem because:
Encouraging a Comprehensive Perspective on Health: Recognizing and stressing the important connection between your mouth's health and the health of your whole body.
Helping with early intervention: Continuity of care in DPC, especially for kids, is the best way to make sure that kids get orthodontic evaluations at the right age.
Doing a great job of coordinating care: Being a helpful and knowledgeable link between the medical and dental fields to make sure you get the full care you need.
A smile that is healthy and straight is an important part of being healthy. Your dentist and orthodontist are the best at straightening teeth, but your Direct Primary Care doctor is the most important person for your overall health. They give you a complete picture, important information, and coordinated care to make sure your oral health stays good for the rest of your life.
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