Why It May Be Time To Start Regularly Seeing The Dentist
PAGE Magazine
By PAGE Editor
If you are like most people, you probably have busy and hectic days. Going to a dentist may not be at the top of your to-do list. For some people, it is a dreary experience that should be avoided at all costs.
However, your dental health is important, and you must put in the effort to protect it. The American Dental Association suggests that you schedule dental appointments every six months. Here are a few reasons to see a dentist regularly.
Discovering Cavities
Cavities are tiny holes in your teeth. If left untreated, they can trigger tooth pain. Scheduling regular trips to the dentist will help you detect and treat them before they become bigger problems. You can prevent cavities by brushing your teeth and flossing regularly. However, that is not always enough.
If you let plaque build up on your teeth, it could turn into tartar and cavities. In most cases, you don’t get any warning. You get up one morning, and you already have cavities. Trips to the dentist will ensure that cavities never creep up on you.
Identifying Hidden Issues
Your dentist should help you identify issues that may be difficult to spot with your naked eye. They conduct x-ray scans and determine even the slightest problems. If, for example, you have tooth pain or persistent infections, it may be challenging to establish the cause of the problem without a scan.
With x-ray scans, your oral health is protected. You don’t need to worry about silent abnormalities. Your dentist may pinpoint signs of damage like tumors, cysts, and bone decay. All of these issues are impossible to detect without x-ray imaging.
Detecting Oral Cancer
Oral cancer can be fatal. It manifests itself in different ways, and you may not always know how to detect it. Since your dentist knows the symptoms to look out for, they can detect oral cancer right from the onset.
Getting early treatment is always a good idea. You can be treated before cancer becomes life threatening. With oral cancer, early detection dramatically increases the chances of recovery.
Cancer exams in Mt. Pleasant is simple, pain-free, and non-invasive. Doing research when looking for a dentist in Mt Pleasant will help you find one who can assist you spot invisible signs of dead tissues that may result from tumors. The straightforward exams may be enough to save your life.
Discovering Gum Disease
Gum disease can be painful and dangerous. It progresses silently, and it may not be easy to detect without the help of a dentist. It results from the build-up of plaque and tartar.
It infects the gums resulting in foul smells and bleeding. If left untreated, gum disease may start attacking the bones that support your teeth. A simple exam would detect it before it becomes a major issue.
Identifying Bad Habits
Certain habits are bad for your dental health. Regular trips to the dentist will help keep them in check. There are lots of habits that may be damaging your teeth and gums without your knowledge. They include biting your nails, grinding your teeth, chewing ice, smoking, and brushing your gums and teeth too hard.
During your regular dental appointments, your dentist will identify signs of oral damage and let you know the habits that could be causing them. If, for example, you have stained teeth, they may result from regular consumption of coffee or red wine. Making some changes to your life may fix most of your issues.
Checking for Swollen Lymph Nodes
Your dentist will perform checks involving your lymph nodes, neck, and head. They use them to discover any kinds of swelling that may be detrimental to your health. If you have swollen lymph nodes, your dentist will direct you to the right doctors.
Preventing Heart Disease and Other Health Problems
Poor dental health increases your risk of stroke and heart attacks. If you are already susceptible to the complications, it would be wise to prioritize your oral health. Regular trips to a dentist will lower the risk of cardiac problems.
Some conditions and their treatments may trigger dental inflammation and other issues. They include HIV, diabetes, and cancer. If you have been diagnosed with any of them or you are under treatment, it would be wise to visit your dentist more than once in six months.
Correcting Wear and Tear
Since your teeth are used every day, they suffer significant wear and tear. Brushing and flossing are great, but it isn’t enough. You must see your dentist regularly to reverse the wear and tear incurred over the months.
If you are an older adult, you need to see a dentist more than twice a year. You may be susceptible to tooth decay, plaque build-up, and gum diseases. Trips to the dentist are even more important when you have fillings.
Preventing Periodontal Diseases
Periodontal disease is an infection that targets the tissues supporting your teeth. Also known as gingivitis, it only affects your gums. If left untreated, gingivitis progresses to periodontal disease. The warning signs include bad breath, bleeding gums, and tenderness. Your teeth may start coming loose. Your dentist will detect the signs of gingivitis and treat it before it becomes a bigger issue. Even when you have no noticeable symptoms, regular trips to the dentist will be helpful.
Maintaining a Bright Smile
Everyone wants to have sparkling white teeth and a bright smile. Even though brushing your teeth regularly helps, it isn’t enough. Regular trips to your dentist are just as important as your everyday dental routine. Your dentist will give you tips to maintain a bright and healthy smile. They will treat cavities and any signs of decay.
They will remove the plaque under your gum line. Clean the parts between your teeth where your toothbrush may not reach. They may offer dental treatments that promote long-term protection.
The benefits of seeing a dentist often are endless. You do not only protect your oral health but also your general well-being as well. Proper dental care may; lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, the dentist removes the plaque under your gums, prevents cavities, scans for oral cancer, and helps prevent periodontal diseases. They may give you tips to maintain a bright smile and identify hidden complications. Do not wait until you are in pain to see a dentist.
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