Maybe going to the dentist is not something that most of us enjoy, having regular checkups twice a year is extremely beneficial for your oral health, as well as for your overall well-being. Many people often spend years without a visit to the dentist, some due to fear, some due to budget issues, some because they think they don’t have oral problems.
Modern dentistry is no longer only about dental procedures but is also about preventive care. As we heard from Smile Solution Dentistry, the regular examinations and maintaining mouth care can mean the difference between seeing the dentist twice a year and undergoing weeks and months of intense, costly restorative treatment in the future. Here are some of the most important reasons why you should never miss your dentist’s appointment.
Your health starts in your mouth
All of the nutrition we intake first goes through our mouth and then to other body parts. People suffering from serious dental conditions are often having a hard time eating or drinking properly, which causes deficiency problems. Also, if you are suffering from tooth decay or gum diseases you are exposing your body to other health problems.
Ignoring oral hygiene increases the probability of health conditions like cardiovascular or respiratory diseases and oral cancer. There is no better prevention of these concerns than regular dentist checks. Professionals at Smile Solution Dentistry are experienced in handling these issues, helping you to have perfect oral health which will keep your overall health in top shape. Even if you require some dental procedures, our sedation technique will make sure that you feel no pain whatsoever.
Prevent gum and periodontal diseases
Inappropriate dental hygiene can lead to gum inflammation. Gum diseases are not easy to spot because they don’t cause pain or change the color of your gums. Once swelling and bleeding start to show, the infection has already taken hold.
This is one of the most common illnesses in the world. The estimate is that in the United States almost 50% of the adult population and 70% of people over the age of 65 have this disease. Periodontal disease affects the tooth and bone and can result in teeth falling out or needing extraction, deterioration of tooth bone, and in worst cases – cancer.
Prevent tooth loss
Cavities are the most common cause of tooth loss. Regular visits to a dentist will make sure that you never have to deal with this problem and even prevent the need for dental implants.
Tooth loss can also be caused by gum diseases and the weakening of tooth bone. The best prevention for this kind of complication starts with your brushing and flossing habits, and a dentist is the next step to impeccable oral hygiene.
Remove stains
Your smile is the most beautiful accessory you could ever wear, and white and pearly teeth lead to a head-turning smile. But most common daily activities like drinking tea, coffee, or having a glass of wine can stain our teeth. Regular dental cleaning will remove the stains on your teeth making them look shiny and polished.
Your dentist can remove the plaque beneath your gum line and places between teeth that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. There are also all kinds of dental treatments that can provide long-lasting plaque protection.
Cure Halitosis (bad breath)
Although we could say that this is a common issue, a persistent bad breath can often be a sign of a more serious condition. In most cases, people that suffer from bad breath can blame it on leftover food particles, dry mouth, and tobacco products. However, this can also be caused by a liver or kidney ailment, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, or sinusitis.
Use x-rays to find problems that are hard to notice
Dentists use x-ray images to find and diagnose any issues you might have that are not visible to the naked eye. Your pain could be caused by impacted teeth without you even realizing it. Impacted teeth are growing teeth that are blocked from pushing through the gum line. This is usually the case with wisdom teeth.
Also, any damage to the jawbone, bone decay, swelling, cysts, or tumors are extremely hard to detect without using x-ray imaging. Finding these or any other possible problems as early as possible is the first step in treatment. Especially with serious diseases that can progress quickly without showing any symptoms.
Prevent oral cancer
Oral cancer is the most serious oral disease. It can manifest itself in various ways, and if not diagnosed on time can progress very quickly and become life-threatening. Luckily, oral cancer in its early stages is often easily treatable. We at Smile Solution Dentistry are highly trained to recognize early signs and symptoms. We suggest regular dental checkups every six months.
Doing so will give us the best chance to recognize oral cancer in time and treat it successfully. Recognizing oral cancer in early stages is the key, and while you may not notice oral abnormalities in time, our team will. A VELscope Cancer exam is non-invasive, painless, and it only takes a minute or two. The exam catches invisible signs of dead tissue caused by tumors forming. People with the highest risk of oral cancer are:
- Smokers
- Tobacco users
- People that excessively drink alcohol
- People with a family history of cancer
Having a high risk means having to visit dental professionals regularly to keep a check on oral cancer. Oral cancer implications include losing teeth, gums, or even a jaw.
There is a strong link between good oral health and a person’s overall well-being. The condition of your teeth and gums strongly affects almost every system in your body.
Having problems with oral health and hygiene can lead to problems circulatory, digestive, reproductive, and respiratory systems. Keeping your mouth healthy keeps your entire body healthy. It also gives you the confidence to smile for the enjoyment of everybody around you. So, without further ado, visit your dentist today.
