Dentistry is a good business if you're a good dentist and have a good business plan. There's plenty of money to be made. In fact sometimes I think dentists set up the perspective that you can't really manage your own oral health. In fact I often wonder if they really would rather you didn't do a great job cleaning your teeth. That way they can be sure to have an endless flow of patients with dental problems.
Sounds a bit cynical but I just don't like going to the dentist if I can help it.

The point here is that it certainly is possible to manage the health of your own teeth and gums. Don't get me wrong, the dentist has his place. If you do need something done it's great to know they're there. It's just like doctors, I don't need them 90 percent or more of the time. I take care of and accept responsibility for my own health and that includes my oral health.

I rarely go to the dentist, in the last decade I've been to the dentist only a few times. I stopped going to get my teeth cleaned about seven years ago. It got to expensive and I didn't really think the hygienist was doing that great a job. I decided I could do as good or better job my self.

It's all about the correct use of the right tools.

As with any job if you don't have the right tools or you don't know how to use the tools, you will fall short. It amazes me that according to some studies only about 13 percent of people use dental floss and even fewer people use rinses or mouthwashes. Probably even fewer people use a Waterpik style water flosser.

I have proven that if you are focused and consistent you can clean you teeth and gums well enough to avoid problems with your teeth or end up with gum disease. You can even have nice white teeth and a great smile. All this without going to a dentist or hygienist.

The sad fact is that most people don't take responsibility for their teeth anymore than they do for their overall health. They wait for something to go wrong and then head to the doctor or dentist. I just don't operate that way.

Here is my strategy for avoiding visits to the dentist.

Get these tools: An electric tooth brush or if you don't have one you can use a regular toothbrush and work a bit harder. String style dental floss, tooth picks or something that works the same way. A Waterpik flossing machine. Quality natural toothpaste and some kind of bacteria killing rinse.

The preferred sequence is to:
Brush thoroughly and completely, usually takes me a few minutes. Then I floss with string floss to displace any plaque and bits of obvious food particles. Next I gently probe through out my teeth and gums with a tooth pick to stimulate and further disrupt any bacteria that is hanging around. Finally I load my Waterpik with my herbal rinse and some times even hydrogen peroxide and I flush and clean my teeth and all aspects of my gums. I spit out the excess rinse but I don't rinse my mouth with clear water so that the rinse or mouthwash will go on fighting any bacteria.

Bacteria is the biggest problem in oral health and food particles lead to bacteria that undermines the teeth then causes gingivitis and gum disease. This serious regiment that I faithfully execute chases the bacteria and disrupts it from taking hold and causing infections.

You too can cut down on your trips to the dentist and have a great smile.