More than a century ago during the First World War, a group of dental researchers and practitioners was tasked by the US government with determining a way to help people achieve and maintain better oral health. What did they come up with? Twice a year preventive dental visits. This is not a plan that took off overnight. Before these dentists made the biennial dental checkup recommendation, patients typically only sought dental care to correct problems that already existed. This change of emphasis on restoring health to maintaining oral health required some convincing on the part of dental practitioners. In the 1920s Pepsodent got behind the idea, and promoted the twice a year visits as part of their ad campaigns. Eventually, more dentists and patients across the US were buying into the benefits of preventive dentistry. Today, most dental insurance providers cover twice a year checkups and cleanings 100%, almost any dental practitioner will recommend checkups and cleanings every six months, and more patients than ever are keeping their natural teeth for a lifetime. It’s clear, preventive dentistry is changing US smiles.
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There’s a strange human phenomenon called inattentional blindness. If you’ve ever said that something “blended into the background,” or became “part of the landscape,” you’re likely experiencing this phenomenon. When people see something repeatedly they take for granted that it is the same from day to day or minute to minute, and don’t observe changes. For instance, if you drive your car every day, you may not notice one hubcap is missing for several days. This happens all the time because our brains ignore repeated images in order to retain space for new information. The phenomenon has been applied to other areas such as memory, education, and politics, but one major area where people often experience inattentional blindness is oral health. Most patients don’t know why they visit our office two times each year, how many teeth they have, or even why fluoride is beneficial for dental care. These things have faded into the background. Westhampton Dentistry invites you to take a closer look at some of the interesting and illuminating stories behind your beautiful smile. Call to find out more about any of our dental services, or to schedule an appointment with the dentist Richmond residents love.
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Want to know the secret to a brighter, healthier smile? The dentist Richmond residents trust, Dr. William W. Way and his entire dentistry team are ready to let you in on the secret. There’s just one catch – don’t keep it a secret! We’re dedicated to helping every patient fully understand how to achieve the best possible oral health. It all starts right here in our office. Call to schedule an appointment with Westhampton Dentistry. Conveniently located in Richmond, VA, our team is here to help you smile.
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