If you’re like most people, the thought of visiting your dentist fills you with dread. But don’t worry, there’s nothing to be afraid of! A good dentist, like those at Sedation Dentistry of Sunny Isles, will address your concerns and help you feel comfortable. Plus, they will help keep your teeth and body healthy.
Here are 4 ways dentists can improve your dental health and overall well-being — 4 good reasons why you shouldn’t skip your dental checkups!
Dental cleanings help prevent dental issues
This may sound obvious, but it’s more important than you might think.
Dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar that form on the surface of your teeth. Plaque is a sticky deposit of bacteria, food particles, debris, and minerals. When it’s not removed, it can harden into tartar over time. Un-removed tartar causes gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities because it provides an environment where harmful bacteria thrive — and these germs cause all kinds of health problems.
Regular cleanings with your dentist help prevent these issues by eliminating plaque and tartar that cannot be removed with brushing and flossing. They also reduce inflammation in people who have gingivitis (a mild form of gum disease) so it doesn’t progress into periodontitis.
Your dentist can spot gum disease on time
Gum disease — also known as periodontal disease or periodontitis — is a bacterial infection that can lead to tooth and bone loss. Early signs of this disease can be detected by your dentist during a regular checkup.
Gum disease often starts as small, painless areas of inflammation (redness) on your gums called gingivitis. But left untreated, it can lead to advanced periodontitis and eventually destroy the bone around your teeth. By catching gum disease early, you may be able to stop it before it causes tooth or bone loss, and even reduce the risk of other serious problems, like a heart attack or a stroke caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream.
Your dentist can detect different diseases
You might not realize it, but your oral health is an important indicator of overall health. By visiting your dentist regularly, you’ll be able to discover any problems before they become severe. Some of them might not be limited to your mouth!
Besides detecting dental problems like cavities and gum disease, your dentist can play a key role in the early detection of other serious health issues, like diabetes, sleep apnea, and oral cancer. They can identify any warning signs in your mouth, like inflammation, bleeding, lesions, abscesses, or sores that won’t heal. They can also notice signs of snoring and tooth grinding (bruxism), which could indicate sleep apnea — a serious sleeping disorder.
Your dentist can help you avoid tooth loss
Unfortunately, tooth loss is a common problem. According to studies, about 7% of Americans under 17 have lost one or more permanent teeth. The good news is that tooth loss can be easily prevented with good dental hygiene habits and —you guessed it! — the help of your dentist.
The most frequent causes of tooth loss in the US are periodontal disease and severe tooth decay. By attending your routine check-ups every 6 months, your dentist can spot any early signs of these issues and treat them before they can develop into tooth loss. As we mentioned earlier, periodic professional cleanings can also reduce any current inflammation produced by gingivitis, preventing it from progressing into periodontitis.
Take control of your dental health – see a dentist today!
Keeping your mouth healthy will make a significant difference, not only in your dental health but in your overall health. For that, it’s not only necessary to brush and floss every day but to visit your dentist regularly. Only they can identify and understand any unusual signs in your mouth and spot any potential problems before they develop. This can save you headaches, money, and time in the long run!
Do you want to start taking better care of your oral health? There’s no better time than now. If you are located in Sunny Isles Beach, FL, our dental team at Sedation Dentistry of Sunny Isles can help you find the care that you need. Call now at (786) 629-1503 or book an appointment online.