MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- If you don't brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once, there is a possibility you can develop cavities and even loose a tooth from the build up of sugars and acids that eat away at the delicate enamel on your teeth.
The good news is that the 21st Dental Co. aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, does not want that to happen to anyone. Several qualified dentists are trained and available at the 21st Dental Co., to catch the smallest amount of any kind of bacteria that can do any possible damage to your teeth.
When many Marines and Sailors think of the dentist, they associate the thoughts with the sound of the grinding drill going into their mouths and a wide-eyed dentist leering over them as he or she prepares to perform a painful surgery.
"Dental hygiene can be quite simple," said Dr. Dave Pruskowskia, a general dentist with 21st Dental. "They key to a healthy mouth and a bright smile is to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day."
Pruskowski, along with the other certified dentists at the 21st Dental Co. can perform a number of services such as cleanings, fillings, and placing crowns and bridges - and on rare occasions, implants.
Cleanings are the most common service performed. During a cleaning, the patient is allowed to comfortably lean back in a chair and have his or her teeth cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler that has a vibrating tip, which sprays water and in turn loosens all the tartar and plaque that have built up on the teeth.
Along with cleanings, a dental exam should be performed every year, so the teeth, gums and all tissues in the mouth can be checked for infections and possibly cancer. Exams can determine whether the patient will be considered in a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th class dental category.
A 4th class dental category means the patient has not been to the dentist in over a year and needs to be checked for any kinds of problems that could have aroused.
Third class identifies patients that have an urgent issue, and if not taken care of, could seriously effect the patient's ability to perform regular duties. An example of a 3rd class dental patient is one that has an infection in the mouth or needs to have a tooth pulled.
Second class is not as serious as 3rd, but the patient still needs to visit the dentist before the problem progresses into a 3rd class problem. A prime example is someone who needs a filling in his or her teeth or even a cleaning.
A 1st class patient is one who is considered to have no dental problems and has had a checkup in the last year.
"Many Marines and Sailors fail to realize that what they eat and drink can cause cavities, which are caused from bacteria that has gotten hold of some form of sugar and turned into acid," said Dr. Diane Hopkins, also a general dentist at the 21st Dental Co. "Soft drinks probably do the most damage on your teeth because they are full of sugar, and acid as well.
"They should be consumed in moderation and teeth should be brushed after consuming any food or drink high in sugar."
"The biggest problem we have on this base is getting Marines and Sailors in here so we can keep an update on their dental health," said Pruskowskia. "If we can just get them in here, we can correct any potential dental problems before they get any worse."
To make a dental appointment., call (808) 257-3100, ext. 257.