When Barton H. Foutz, DDS, says, “You only need to take care of the teeth you want to keep,” he isn’t just being clever, he’s giving you his whole philosophy in one line. For him, a forever smile isn’t about perfection; it’s about partnering with patients, so their teeth look good, feel good, and actually last.
At Foutz Family Dentistry, patients quickly learn they’re part of the team. “Our responsibility is to use the best education, materials, techniques and motivation,” he says. “But their personal desires and efforts are probably the most important factor in keeping their teeth and helping them function well through the rest of their life.” Translation: he’ll bring the expertise, but you still have to pick up the toothbrush.
One of his favorite sayings, “Your future self will thank you,” comes from decades of watching long‑term patients reap the rewards of early care. Some have been with him nearly 40 years. “We’ll sometimes reminisce and talk about what would have happened if we hadn’t done the work when we did,” he shares. Because they invested in their mouths early and stuck with regular care, they’re still smiling, chewing, and laughing comfortably today.
Of course, many people wait until something hurts before calling the dentist. Dr. Foutz gets it, but he doesn’t recommend it. He likes to “get things while they are small,” helping patients see tiny problems before they turn into big, expensive, time‑consuming problems. It’s easy to show the difference in cost for catch‑up treatment later versus consistent care now, but the real conversation is about quality of life: esthetic, functioning teeth that last, plus a commitment to maintenance so the work holds up.
If he could give readers one simple habit this month, he’d start with the basics: brush well and thoroughly two to three times a day, floss twice a day, and see your dentist regularly. “You don’t know what you don’t know!” he says. That professional set of eyes—and X‑rays—can spot what your bathroom mirror can’t.
Another favorite Foutz‑ism: “The mouth is the gateway to your overall health.” In his practice, that means focusing on both the frame (facial and soft tissue esthetics) and the picture (the teeth themselves). The goal is optimal care in a compassionate, comfortable environment where patients feel heard, informed, and genuinely cared for.
And if you walk out repeating his one‑liners to your kids or partner? Dr. Foutz would probably call that a win—for your teeth, and for your future self.