HealthLinksSC.com | 29 If you compare dentistry in 2023 to what it was in 1963, you might be surprised to find how much has changed and how much has stayed the same. While dentists far and wide will tell you that your best bet to keeping your teeth is the same kind of proper daily oral care your grandfather knew, their methods for helping you maintain what’s in your mouth have vastly improved in the past 60 years. “A huge focus of dental school currently is in better understanding the link between dental health and overall health,” said Dr. Ivy White, a partner with her dad, Dr. Eddie White, at Sewee Dental Care in Mount Pleasant. “We understand the health implications of dental issues so much better now, and it’s so important to educate people on this and get them invested in their health.” For instance, when Dr. Eddie White was growing up, any tooth concerns – such as plaque, calculus, notching, wisdom teeth, crowns and possible cavities – would have been treated by his dentist as isolated matters. Now, both he and his daughter approach every dental issue with an eye to how the condition of patients’ teeth affect their overall well-being. “People are interested in keeping their teeth until 100 years old,” Dr. Eddie White said. “And we are here to help them achieve this, through focusing on how their overall health affects the health and stability of their teeth and gums.” Part of that link lies both in new and time-honored advancements, such as: FROM BRUSH AND FLOSS TO DIGITAL DENTISTRY LESSONS LEARNED IN DENTAL SCHOOL By L. C. Leach III
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