03/08/2025
YOUR TEETH ARE not ORDINARY "PRIORITISE THEM"
During the course of last week, at our newly opened Osogbo/Ido-Osun dental facility, a woman walked in clearly in state of distress as the pain radiating from her mouth was so intense, she couldn’t even respond to the receptionist’s basic questions. She was restless, visibly distressed, and in need of urgent attention.
The moment I saw her, I asked my team to bypass protocol and bring her straight to the dental chair. In situations like that, pain relief takes priority. Once we were able to ease her discomfort, I then invited the front desk staff to come and take her details.
After a careful examination, the findings were troubling:
Two of her lower teeth were grossly decayed
There was a localized abscess already forming
Her oral hygiene was very poor, and
The gums had significantly receded, which means she has ignored her dental health for many years..
I gently explained that this situation could have been avoided if she had taken her oral health seriously earlier. I then walked her through the treatment plan not just the procedures, but why each step was necessary to reassure her and gain her confidence.
But when she heard the cost of the treatment needed, she exclaimed in Yoruba:
"Ma wa na àdúrú owó yìí lórí eyín lásán?"
("So I will now spend this kind of money on ordinary teeth?")
That moment captured so much of what we face in dental care:
The idea that oral health is not worth taking care of, until pain strikes and then, the cost of treatment feels overwhelming.
Let me be clear: Teeth are not ordinary.
They are part of your body. They affect your nutrition, your speech, your appearance, and your confidence. A neglected decayed tooth, infected gum or other structures therein can become a threat to your general health and your pocket.
At Gateway Dental Care , we’re on a mission to change this mindset and to make people realise that the condition of their mouth and the structures therein says a lot about the general well-being.
Prevention is always cheaper than emergency care.
Don’t wait for the pain to get severe before you act.
Don't wait till you need emergency care before you prioritise dental health.
Your teeth and other structures therein deserves better.
