Did you know that visiting your dentist regularly can help you detect serious health problems?

Some people don’t bother going to the dentist unless they’re in serious pain, but this shouldn’t be the case.

During regular dental checkups, your dentist can detect potential problems that you may not even be aware of. It’s important to go to your dentist for a routine checkup so your dentist can not only check for cavities and plaque and tartar buildup, but also examine your gums, jaw, neck, throat, and face. Although it may seem strange to you, your dentist can often detect potential health issues by noticing warning signs like swelling. These warning signs are often side effects other serious medical conditions that should be addressed immediately.

DETECTING HEALTH PROBLEMS EARLY IS POSSIBLE WITH REGULAR DENTAL CHECKUPS

The Importance of Checkups:

According to the American Dental Association on MouthHealthy.org , about 100 million Americans fail to see a dentist each year. Visiting the dentist twice a year is recommended for most people, but if you’re at higher risk for dental disease or health problems because of conditions like pregnancy, diabetes, smoking, or being prone to cavities or plaque buildup, you should consider visiting the dentist more frequently.

Even if you’re in good health and are taking excellent care of your teeth and gums on your own, you should visit a dentist at least twice a year. Your dentist will help you maintain your good oral hygiene and help you steer clear of gum disease, plaque buildup, and tooth decay. By going to checkups regularly, your dentist can also detect early signs of health problems that you haven’t even considered may be a problem including diabetes, heart disease, or oral cancer.

It’s important to visit your dentist routinely so they can detect early signs of oral infections or inform you about other unknown potential health issues.

Dental Disease and Decay:

If left untreated, dental disease can lead to infection, damage to the bone, or nerve and tooth deterioration.

“The average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 has three or more decayed or missing teeth (MouthHelathy.org).” In other words, it’s important at every age to maintain regular checkups with your dentist in order to prevent tooth decay.

Other Serious Health Problems:

As you get older, maintaining good oral health habits becomes even more important. Having unhealthy bacteria in the mouth not only harms your teeth and gums but may also be associated with serious medical illnesses. It’s also mentioned on MouthHealthy.org how research has proven that oral infections may be associated with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pneumonia and other health problems that are common in adults 60 years and older.

Because oral infections are linked to health issues, any oral infections your dentist finds can help you address unknown or beginning health issues. In other words, dental health sums up your general health more than you think. For example, gum disease, bleeding gums, and loose teeth all point toward diabetes and having inflamed gums may be a sign of heart disease. Always check with your physician immediately if your dentist begins to see signs of dental problems like these.

Tips for a Healthy Mouth:

A healthy mouth can be achieved by brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing between your teeth once a day, visiting your dentist regularly for checkups, and limiting snacks in between meals. Know that the benefits of good oral hygiene and regular dental visits outweigh the inconveniences of cleaning and keeping appointments with your dentist.

Taking a break from your busy day to visit your dentist can make a world of a difference. With a visit to the dentist, you will be maintaining good oral hygiene practices, enjoying a more confident self and a whiter and brighter smile, and know that you’re taking small steps to prevent dental disease or other serious health problems. We all know that life can get in the way, but don’t avoid dental checkups or ignore your oral health.