Whether you're at sea, in the sky or out in town, dental health can mean everything. From showing pride in professional appearance to overall health, the importance of taking care of teeth cannot be overstated.

But good oral hygiene is more than maintaining a set of shiny teeth, it can also affect operational readiness. Make no mistake about it, optimal oral health can mean the difference between ensuring a job well done, ensuring daily tasks are completed successfully or a long agonizing stay in Medical.

Aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike), the dedicated members of Dental department strive to take preventative measures and remedy a number of issues before it is too late.

"We help keep our fighters in the fight," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Randy McFarland from Houston.

Cultivating oral health is not as simple as just making an appointment with Dental. The time and effort put towards a daily routine matters most and neglecting this can have serious ramifications.

"Not caring for your own oral health can cause infections that can lead into your entire body," said Lt. Nicolas Shirey, one of Ike's dentists. "In general, you can be prone to sickness more often."

One of the biggest threats to teeth in particular are bacteria called streptococci. These bacteria feed off sugars that can be in just about any food that's consumable. The bacteria consume these sugars and produce acidic by-products that corrode teeth and can potentially lead to tooth decay.

In the long run, a lack of oral hygiene can result in loss of teeth, gum disease or even loss of bone in your mouth. This will cause constant pain and consequently sickness. However, it isn't all bad news, many of these problems can be prevented and any Sailor can do it.

"I recommend using both soft bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste," said Hospitalman Grant Gardner from Chandler, Arizona. "It's also important to use floss to get into proximal spaces in between your teeth where a toothbrush can't reach."

Ike's Dental personnel recommend using a soft bristle brush for proper care of the gum line and the teeth to reduce recession. Additionally, fluoride toothpaste is highly recommended as it helps remineralize teeth. Sailors are advised to brush their teeth from side-to-side in small circles and up and down. Doing so can help eliminate plaque build-up at the gum line.

From being able to perform occupational work, enjoying the company of friends and family and even enjoying certain foods that would otherwise be impossible without a set of teeth, remembering the importance of good oral hygiene helps ready Sailors for just about any task, no matter the size.

Ike is underway during the maintenance phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP).

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