{"id":18,"date":"2019-08-02T13:01:07","date_gmt":"2019-08-02T13:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sdentalnj.com\/blog\/?p=18"},"modified":"2019-09-02T13:03:58","modified_gmt":"2019-09-02T13:03:58","slug":"teeth-cleaning-and-why-its-important-to-see-your-dentist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sdentalnj.com\/blog\/2019\/08\/02\/teeth-cleaning-and-why-its-important-to-see-your-dentist\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Reasons You Should See a Dentist for a Regular Checkup and Teeth Cleaning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Oral care might not be at the top of your list when\nthinking about all the ways you can care for your overall well-being, but it\u2019s certainly\none of the most important. The mouth and body are closely connected, and what\nhappens with your body can many times be linked back to problems existing in\nthe mouth, and vice versa. That is why it\u2019s important to maintain a regular\ndental checkup and teeth\ncleaning<\/a> appointment with your dentist. Don\u2019t let your oral health be\npushed to the backburner. Instead, check out these 6 reasons you should see a\ndentist sooner rather than later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Gum Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Red, inflamed, and bleeding gums means one thing: gum\ndisease. Also known as periodontal disease, this occurs when plaque and tartar\nspread below the gum line and cause the gums to recede and pull away from your\nteeth. In its early stages, gingivitis, the tissue can begin to break down;\nhowever, with thorough cleanings by your dentist and good at-home oral hygiene\npractices, it can be reversed. If left untreated, it can progress into advanced\nperiodontitis, which can ultimately result in bone and tooth loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facial Checkup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While you might not think your neck, jaw, or lymph nodes\nshould be areas that your dentist needs to check, problems that begin or\nprogress to these areas can tell them a lot about what is going on in your\nmouth. Abnormalities that occur below the jawline can be a sign of a serious\nhealth problem. Swollen lymph nodes may not have you feeling any pain, but they\ncan be a sign of possible cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular visits to your dentist will greatly reduce the risk\nof a serious health condition going undetected or untreated for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oral Cancer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a typical dental cleaning, you can expect your\ndentist to perform an oral cancer screening, which allows her to look for signs\nor symptoms that can be associated with this disease. Should any causes for concern\nbe detected, you will be referred to a specialist or a doctor for an official\ndiagnosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tooth Decay and Cavities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Everyone loves the feel of their teeth when leaving the dentist office. It\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bad Habits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your dentist has told you to kick the habit or lay off\nthe overabundance of sweets because of the number of cavities you have, these\nregular appointments help to hold you accountable. The following types of bad\nhabits can wreak havoc on your teeth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n