Dr. Hüseyin Aşçı: "Oral health is a mirror of general health"

• Patients often only see a dentist when they are in severe pain or have an aesthetic concern.
• Check-ups every six months allow problems such as decay and gum disease to be caught early and treated more simply.
• Bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream; gum disease has been associated with heart and vascular disease and with diabetes that is harder to control.
• Brushing at least twice a day and flossing should be basic habits.
• 3D scanners and digital planning make impressions, implants and smile design more comfortable, and make treatment easier for anxious patients.
• A healthy smile has a positive effect on social life and self-confidence; preventive care matters at every age.

You can read the full interview (in Turkish) on the DHA website.

Gum disease (periodontitis) is a chronic inflammation of the gums, and research shows it can affect the body as a whole. The strongest evidence concerns diabetes: uncontrolled diabetes makes gum disease worse, and untreated gum disease can make blood sugar harder to control. An association with heart and vascular disease has also been shown in many studies, although a direct cause-and-effect link has not been established.

In practice this means bleeding gums are not a trivial complaint. If you have diabetes or heart disease or take blood thinners, always tell your dentist. We cover this in safe dental care for people with chronic conditions and bleeding and receding gums. For gum changes in pregnancy see dental treatment during pregnancy.

What happens at a check-up is described in dental check-ups and the stages of decay in signs of tooth decay. The interval isn't the same for everyone; it may be shorter if you have gum disease or frequent decay.

1. Brush twice a day for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
2. Clean between your teeth once a day with floss or interdental brushes.
3. Have sugary and acidic drinks with meals rather than spread through the day.
4. Smoking is one of the strongest risk factors for gum disease; ask for support to quit.
5. Don't wait for your next check-up to show us bleeding gums, a loose tooth or persistent bad breath.

We explain the right technique step by step in our guide to brushing properly.

In the interview Dr. Aşçı stressed that intraoral 3D scanners and digital planning make the experience easier, especially for anxious patients. Using a scanner instead of impression material and showing the plan on screen lets patients see in advance what to expect. More: digital dentistry at Dent32 and treatment for people with dental anxiety.

Dent32 is the dental clinic in Beylikdüzü founded by Dr. Hüseyin Aşçı, at Barış Mah., Ginza Lavinya, E-5 Yanyolu No:30 D:179, 34520 Beylikdüzü, Istanbul. For a check-up or gum assessment, call +90 555 011 33 68 or write to us.