Oral care might not be at the top of your list when thinking about all the ways you can care for your overall well-being, but it’s certainly one of the most important. The mouth and body are closely connected, and what happens with your body can many times be linked back to problems existing in the mouth, and vice versa. That is why it’s important to maintain a regular dental checkup and teeth cleaning appointment with your dentist. Don’t let your oral health be pushed to the backburner. Instead, check out these 6 reasons you should see a dentist sooner rather than later.
Gum Disease
Red, inflamed, and bleeding gums means one thing: gum disease. Also known as periodontal disease, this occurs when plaque and tartar spread below the gum line and cause the gums to recede and pull away from your teeth. In its early stages, gingivitis, the tissue can begin to break down; however, with thorough cleanings by your dentist and good at-home oral hygiene practices, it can be reversed. If left untreated, it can progress into advanced periodontitis, which can ultimately result in bone and tooth loss.
Facial Checkup
While you might not think your neck, jaw, or lymph nodes should be areas that your dentist needs to check, problems that begin or progress to these areas can tell them a lot about what is going on in your mouth. Abnormalities that occur below the jawline can be a sign of a serious health problem. Swollen lymph nodes may not have you feeling any pain, but they can be a sign of possible cancer.
Regular visits to your dentist will greatly reduce the risk of a serious health condition going undetected or untreated for years.
Oral Cancer
One of the most serious diseases that affect thousands of people each year is oral cancer. Early detection is key because of its ability to spread quickly. Once it spread to other areas of your body, it might be too late to treat.
During a typical dental cleaning, you can expect your dentist to perform an oral cancer screening, which allows her to look for signs or symptoms that can be associated with this disease. Should any causes for concern be detected, you will be referred to a specialist or a doctor for an official diagnosis.
Tooth Decay and Cavities
Everyone loves the feel of their teeth when leaving the dentist office. It’s often hard not to slide your tongue back and forth across them because of their smooth feel. One of the reasons for this is that during a cleaning, the dental hygienist will remove any plaque and tartar build-up. Not only can these result in cavities forming on your teeth, but they can also lead to serious problems with gum disease, which must also be treated by your dental team. Regular cleanings will keep your tartar from eroding the teeth and creating holes (cavities). Once a cavity is formed, the only way to fix it is with a filling or crown depending on the severity.
Bad Habits
If your dentist has told you to kick the habit or lay off the overabundance of sweets because of the number of cavities you have, these regular appointments help to hold you accountable. The following types of bad habits can wreak havoc on your teeth:
- Smoking
- Poor nutrition and eating habits
- Nail-biting
- Teeth grinding
- Poor oral hygiene
- Chewing on ice
- Hard tooth brushing
If you’ve never been told the negative effects these bad habits can have on your oral health, expect these regular appointments to be an eye-opener, but your dentist also knows it’s not easy to change overnight, so expect to receive some tips and tricks on ways to avoid your bad habits and how you and your dental team can work together to ensure your oral health stays on track.
X-Rays
It’s important that X-rays be taken during your visits to help your dentist see what is happening underneath the gum line. If all they had to go off was what they could see on the surface, many problems would go undiagnosed, possibly until it was too late. These images can help your dentist to see:
- Status of wisdom teeth (i.e. impacted, aligned incorrectly)
- Bone health
- Teeth development (especially in young children)
- Tumors
- Decay or infection beneath the crown of the tooth
The sooner these problems are addressed, the less of a chance your oral health will be permanently impacted. No one wants to spend money on extensive treatments or procedures to fix their teeth, so in order to prevent it, make sure you keep your regular dental checkups and cleanings. Over time, you’ll notice just how beneficial they are, not only for your teeth and gums but your overall health, too.
About the Author
Dr. Aliana Henkin has been practicing since 2007. Compassionate about helping others, Dr. Henkin enjoys being able to improve her patient’s smiles, offering long-lasting results. Earning her doctorate at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, she focused on specialized areas such as cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants, and oral surgery. After graduation, she went on to attend advanced courses in implantology, endodontics, BOTOX, dermal fillings, and CEREC. She and the team at Skyline Dental are ready to help you achieve a healthier, more beautiful smile. From preventive to cosmetic, and everything in between, learn more about the services we offer by visiting our website or calling (973) 963-8181.