Jessica Klinkenberg
Northern News Services
Wednesday, April 11, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Mentioning dentists can affect a lot of senses for people.

There's that unique dentist office smell, the distinct taste of fluoride, the sound of the drill, and the feel of lying in the chair.

April is oral health month, and dentist Steve Partyka says people have no need to fear his profession.

"I have so many people who are happy," Partyka said of his patients at Adam Dental Clinic.

"Creature comforts are huge. It's a much greater environment than it used to be. The materials are much more patient-friendly."

The room he works in has a television on the ceiling so people can watch a show while they have their teeth cleaned.

But with all the comforts in the world, dentists still struggle to get people to brush their teeth after every meal and to floss.

"That's kind of sad that in 2007 that's still out there," he said of oral hygiene problems.

One of those problems is our attitude towards baby teeth.

"The problem has been that (people think) baby teeth aren't important," he said.

So people tend to be more relaxed in whether their child brushes their teeth consistently and flosses.

"The decay that goes into the baby teeth can go into the permanent teeth," said Partyka.

Sometimes decaying baby teeth will be pulled because of bacteria infestation.

Partyka said that since baby teeth occupy spaces for permanent teeth, pulling them and leaving the space empty increases the chance that the child may end up needing braces.

"And they're expensive," he said.

The cost of braces today can go as high as $11,000.

Partyka said that taking care of your smile can also improve your overall health, as studies have shown a link between periodontal and heart health.

"The same bacteria that builds up plaque found on the teeth is the same bacteria that causes plaque in the heart," he said.

By taking care of teeth and gums, and fighting the bacteria that causes plaque on teeth, it could lessen the chance of that same bacteria getting into the bloodstream and creating artery-clogging plaques.

"If you take care of your smile, it will take care of you," said Partyka.