How many times each year do you visit your dentist?
If you think that brushing your teeth regularly is enough to keep your oral health in top condition, think again.
When your dentist, as well as the American Dental Association, tells you to have a regular dental check-up like every 6 months, there must be some valid reasons.
You may be busy or tied up with a lot of things that you find it difficult to maintain a regular visit to your dentist. At some point, even fear is holding you back.
However, it is important that you understand the significant role your dentist plays in maintaining your dental health and at the same time, your overall health.
Why Should You Visit Your Dentist Regularly?
Having a regular dental visit gives you a lot of benefits that you may not realize on the spot. It is alarming to know that there is a relatively small number of people who have regular dental visits for the past few years.
As per American Dental Association, there were more than 20% or one out of five adults have not visited or reported to their dentists in the last few years.
Deficient oral health goes beyond just mouth problems. Good oral health gives you a lovelier smile, which can pave the way for many great opportunities.
More so, with poor oral health, your overall health condition can be affected, too. Several studies show how dental problems can lead to more serious health problems like stroke, heart diseases, and diabetes among others.
Regular dental visits can provide you the following advantages:
1. Regular Cleaning
Regular dental visits mean regular teeth cleaning. Plaque and tartar are not completely removed regardless of the number of brushing you do for the day. There is still little amount left in areas of your teeth that are usually hard to reach by brushing.
When these little amounts of plaque build up, it will be harder to remove. Plaque then turns into tartar and most often than not, it is usually removed with the help of your dentist. When tartar stays on your teeth, tooth decay and other serious dental problem can take place.
Going to your dentist on a regular basis gives you the chance to have your teeth cleaned from plaque and tartar.
2. Gum Disease Detection
The buildup of plaque and tartar do not just provide tooth decay but also more serious dental problems like gum disease or periodontal disease. When plaque or tartar stays longer on your teeth, more bacteria are on your teeth which eventually cause infection or gingivitis.
As infection develops on your teeth, the tissue attached to your teeth crumbles including the bone structure that supports your teeth. This then leads to loss of teeth. Gum or periodontal disease can also cause heart diseases such as blood clots.
With regular visits, your dentist can quickly detect early signs of gum disease or infection. That is why it is important to have your teeth regularly cleaned and checked.
3. Early Detection of Oral Cancer
We all know that cancer is life threatening. Patients who are fighting cancer wished they knew or were able to detect cancer earlier. Oral cancer is just like the other cancers when left untreated and undetected, it can cause your life.
As reported by the National Institutes of Health, there are more than 30,000 adults in the US fight off oral cancer every year.
Being able to detect oral cancer at an early stage have higher chances of treating the disease. Your dentists are skilled in detecting the early signs of oral cancer. Hence, visiting your dentist regularly is more than just keeping your mouth clean and fresh. It can also save your life.
4. Health Evaluation
Regular dental visits do not just involve the mouth and your teeth. Your dentist can also check early or visible signs of other health problems like diabetes, lower jaw joint disease (TMJ), and vitamin deficiencies.
During dental visits, your dentist will examine your head and neck.
There are still a lot of reasons why you should visit your dentists every 6 months. However, the key point here is in keeping your teeth and mouth healthy to ensure your overall health is in the best condition.
If you are looking for a experienced dentist that takes your personal oral health seriously, don’t hesitate to contact Union Family Dental in Monroe, NC. New patients and walk-ins are welcome. Book your dental appointment today!
