Prevention is better than cure: what we believe in at Tandarts West

At Tandarts West in Rotterdam West you will often hear us say one thing: prevention is better than cure. It sounds like a proverb, but for us it is the basis of everything we do. A cavity you spot in time is a small cavity. Gums you keep healthy need no treatment later. And a child who learns to brush keeps a healthy mouth for life. In this article I take you through what that vision means in practice, and what you can do with it yourself.

Our vision: prevention is better than cure

Dentistry was not an obvious choice when I had to decide what I wanted to become. But every career test pointed to dentistry, and I took the leap. I have never regretted it for a second. When I am at the chair, I am truly in my element. That feeling is what I want to pass on in the way we work: calm, with explanation, and always with the question of how we can prevent a problem in the future.

Curing is almost always possible. We can fill cavities, treat root canals and make inflamed gums healthy again. But every treatment you do not need is one fewer. Prevention is more comfortable, cheaper and better for your teeth in the long run. That is why, in our view, good dental care does not begin in the treatment chair, but in the habits of every day.

When I am at the chair, I am genuinely happy. And the best part is when a patient comes back year after year without anything needing to be done.

What we saw change in the neighbourhood

In the years that we have been open in Rotterdam West, a lot has changed. In the beginning, almost every child who sat in our chair had cavities in their teeth or molars. When we looked more closely at the why, it turned out to be simple: in many families in the neighbourhood, little was known about how to prevent those cavities. Not out of unwillingness, but because that knowledge had never been there.

So we started with something small and powerful: brushing instructions. Explaining how, how long and how often you brush, and why cleaning between the teeth really is part of it. Those instructions are paying off. Today we see far more young people with a stable, healthy set of teeth. That is exactly what prevention is for, and it proves that a healthy mouth is, to a large extent, a matter of knowledge and habit.

What does basic dental care include?

When I say that basic dental care should be accessible to everyone, I mean the care that keeps your teeth healthy and functional. Concretely, that is:

• Check-ups. Twice a year we look at whether everything is healthy, so we spot problems while they are still small.
• Dental cleaning. Professionally removing plaque and tartar to prevent gum inflammation. Read more in our article on preventing and removing tartar.
• Fillings. Filling a cavity in time prevents pain, an infection and a bigger treatment later.
• Root canal treatment. With which we keep a tooth that would otherwise be lost.
• Dentures. So you keep chewing, talking and smiling the way you are used to.

Precisely by being on time here, you prevent a large part of the trouble. Those who come regularly get a fair chance of healthy teeth. Those who only come when something is really wrong often face a bigger and more expensive procedure.

How to prevent problems yourself

The good news: most of prevention is in your own hands. Four habits together make the difference.

1. Brush twice a day for two minutes

Use a soft or electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brush gently and along the gum line, and do not force it, because hard scrubbing damages the enamel. Not sure about your brush? Read how to choose the right toothbrush.

2. Clean between your teeth every day

A toothbrush does not reach the sides of your teeth. That is exactly where cavities and tartar begin. Floss or interdental brushes clean those spots. This is the step most people skip, and at the same time the step that pays off the most.

3. Limit sugar and snacking

Every time you eat or drink something sweet, your teeth are under the influence of acid for about half an hour. Three eating moments a day is much better than six snacks. Between meals, drink water rather than soft drinks or coffee with sugar.

4. Have a check-up twice a year

Even with a perfect brushing routine, something sometimes appears in a hard-to-reach spot. At a six-monthly check-up and cleaning we notice it and deal with it while it is still small. With a higher risk, for example smoking, diabetes or gum problems, a rhythm of three to four times a year can be sensible.

This way you can prevent many problems with your teeth by being on time, and everyone gets a fair chance.

Dental care that is accessible to everyone

Prevention only works if people actually find their way to the dentist. And there is a painful point: there is a group of people who fall through the cracks. For adults, basic dentistry is currently not part of the basic health insurance package. Those without supplementary insurance who cannot afford it put off care. And postponed care is exactly what you want to prevent with prevention.

One story stays with me. A pregnant woman came to us because she needed all sorts of treatment during her pregnancy, simply because there had been no money for care earlier. That should not have to happen. We regularly see people for whom things are almost beyond repair, while a small treatment much earlier would have been enough.

That is why, together with my team, I am committed to the Social Dentist. We help people who otherwise cannot afford this care, because we believe healthy teeth are not a luxury. In politics in The Hague there is talk about whether dental costs should eventually return to the basic package, but concrete steps are slow to come. Until then, we are happy to roll up our sleeves.

About the Social Dentist

This article is inspired by the interview with Semra Genc for the Social Dentist, an initiative in collaboration with Stichting ANDERS. Would you like to read the full story or join as a volunteer? Visit Socialetandarts.nl.

In collaboration with

What Tandarts West does for you

At Tandarts West in Rotterdam West, prevention is not a side issue but the common thread. What you can expect from us:

• Six-monthly check-up as a fixed rhythm. Together we plan a pace that suits your mouth and risk profile.
• Tailored brushing advice. At every appointment we look at how you brush and give personal advice on technique and tools.
• Attention for children. We teach children to brush through play, so healthy habits become second nature.
• Calm and with explanation. We tell you what we do and why, so you know what is happening and get no surprises.
• Care in your language. Our team speaks Dutch, English, Turkish, Arabic, French and German.
• A clear check of your cover. Our reception is happy to check with you whether your insurance covers the care.

Finally: prevention costs a little attention each day, curing costs time, money and sometimes a tooth. With two minutes of brushing, daily cleaning between your teeth and two check-ups a year at Tandarts West Rotterdam, you keep your teeth healthy for years. A small investment with a big return for your smile.

A little play with your smile

Prevention can be light-hearted too. In the frame below, the words we work on every day drift around. Feel free to click the letters and swipe them away, and think about which healthy habit you will pick up today.