While growing up in his hometown of Beaumont, Texas, Clayton Willinger had his sights set on a career as a physician. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of North Texas, where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology and minored in chemistry. Medical school was next on his agenda, but a four-year stint working in a hospital emergency room caused him to rethink his plans. Exploring other medical-related careers, he found dentistry fascinating.

"My first reaction was that dentistry is like arts and crafts plus science," he recalls. "My hobby is woodworking, so I've always had an appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship involved in creating things that are both useful and aesthetically pleasing. I realized that I would be doing the same thing as a dentist. I would see a person with decaying, missing teeth and then basically fabricate teeth that would help them speak and chew while also enhancing their appearance. Add to that the science: as a dentist, I could prescribe medication and treat health issues related to the oral cavity. Dentistry is a perfect blend of craftsmanship, science and medicine."

At age 25, Clayton moved to Louisville, Kentucky, to attend dental school. During his first year there, his life took a significant turn.

"I met my wife, Megan Insley," he says. "She was from Ohio, and, like me, she was studying general dentistry. We met in an anatomy lab, where we were lab partners. We joke that we got to know each other over cadavers."

Unfortunately, graduation arrived at the same time as COVID. Fresh out of dental school, Dr. Willinger and Dr. Insley had to find jobs during the height of a pandemic that required restrictions on how dental practices operated. The couple also had to decide where they wanted to live.
"Texas was too hot for her," Dr. Willinger explains, "and Ohio was too cold for me. So, we started applying for jobs up and down the East Coast. I've always loved skimboarding and surfing, so living near the beach was very appealing."

Hampton Roads was a perfect choice for the couple. Moving here in the spring of 2020, the young dentists each took jobs at large corporate practices.

Happy to have a job during the uncertain times of the pandemic, Dr. Willinger nevertheless remained open to other opportunities.

"I started talking to other dentists around town," he says. "Dr. Kevin Ross had recently joined the team at Midgette Family Dentistry in Western Branch and had nothing but good things to say about the practice. When he told me they were planning to hire another dentist, I looked into it."

"I had interviewed with other practices across the area, but Dr. Midgette's office was amazing," Dr. Willinger continues. "Everyone-the patients, the support staff, the front desk staff-was awesome. And I was so impressed by the technology they use. I live in the Shore Drive area of Virginia Beach, but the daily drive to the Western Branch area of Chesapeake is worth it. I have been with Dr. Midgette since mid-December, and I already have a fantastic patient base."

How does Dr. Willinger approach his patients?

"First off, I deal with what is probably the biggest misconception people have about going to the dentist," he says. "Many people mistakenly assume that the experience will be painful. I've had patients come in terrified because of past experiences. I assure them that dentistry has changed dramatically in recent years; it doesn't have to be scary or painful; I am not there to cause patients stress. We have a sit-down and discuss how we can turn their oral health around. I see the relief on their faces. they're genuinely grateful for this approach."

When asked the easiest way to improve one's oral health, Dr. Willinger's answer is the same as every dentist's: brush and floss daily. Ideally, one should brush after eating anything, but that isn't practical for most people.

"Brush at least twice a day," Dr. Willinger advises. "One of those times should be before going to bed. Many people brush only in the morning and think they're good for the day, but nighttime brushing is essential. After brushing at night, don't eat or drink anything but water before bed. Otherwise, the sugars and residue from the food and drinks will sit on the teeth all night long, fermenting and attacking the enamel on the teeth. If you're only able to brush once a day, brush at bedtime.

"Another thing everyone can do is drink more water throughout the day. The best water for our teeth is tap water-not bottled water. Bottled water is stripped of the minerals that are good for the body and teeth. Tap water also has fluoride in it, which fights tooth decay. Cut out soft drinks, carbonated waters, and even water with lemons or lemon juice. Citrus fruits are acidic, so you don't want to have the acid from lemons continually flushing over your teeth. Drink more plain, tap water throughout the day. It is what's best for your teeth and your body."

Even those who religiously brush and floss should schedule regular dental checkups.

"You can have the best home care, but eventually, everyone will build a calculus-a hard yellow plague-on the tongue side of the bottom teeth," Dr. Brushing explains. "Brushing, flossing, and rinsing won't remove it. It has to be scraped off. Even if one brushes and flosses daily, one can still develop cavities and not know it until there is pain. This is especially true between teeth-particularly the back teeth-where cavities wouldn't be visible. People should approach tooth care the same way they approach taking care of their car. Even if your vehicle doesn't give you any trouble, you're still going to change the oil every x number of miles and have it inspected each year. It should be the same way with your teeth and mouth. Have routine dental exams."

When it comes to everything from routine exams to the most specialized procedures, Midgette Family Dentistry has been a trusted presence in the Western Branch community for decades.

"I am honored to be a part of Dr. Midgette's practice," Dr. Willinger concludes with a smile. "We keep up with the newest up-to-date advancements in dentistry and use all of the latest technology to give our patients the best possible treatment."