Everybody knows that it’s important to take proper care of your body to maintain optimum health and avoid any illnesses. Unfortunately, the necessity of maintaining excellent oral health can sometimes be taken for granted. The reality, however, is that visiting a dentist on a regular schedule provides more than just nice-looking teeth. As you continue reading, you’ll discover 6 reasons why these appointments should be maintained.
#1 – Oral Cancer Detection
Each year, over 40,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer, with nearly 10% of the cases being fatal. One of the best ways to fight the disease is with early detection, as in the beginning stages, it’s quite treatable.
When you visit for preventive care, your dentist will typically perform a careful examination to check for signs of oral cancer. The painless assessment, which usually only takes around 10 minutes to complete, will provide you with the peace-of-mind of knowing what the condition of your health is.
#2 – Plaque and Tartar Removal
Even with your best efforts to brush and floss your teeth, you can still have plaque buildup. That’s because the resilient-sticky substance is continuously growing. Over time, its accumulation can lead to cavity development, which is a hole that’s created from the acidic bacterial growth.
The sooner any tooth decay is identified, the better. Furthermore, by having your teeth professionally cleaned, you’ll have a better chance of preventing a cavity from forming.
#3 – Gum Disease Prevention
Over half the adult population have some form of gum disease, which is the inflammation and infection of the soft tissue. Untreated, the condition can lead to gum recession, tooth loss and leave you more susceptible to developing oral cancer. Thankfully, with early detection and treatment, you can avoid the more acute problems.
#4 – Accountability
Visiting the dentist isn’t just about receiving care. The accountability that it provides is equally important. If you struggle with such challenges as smoking, biting your fingernails, brushing too aggressively or other detrimental activities, a conversation with a dentist can help to steer you in the right direction and prevent a dental emergency or some other unnecessary situation.
#5 – X-ray Images
Dentists don’t just rely on their natural eyesight to detect any budding issues. They also utilize X-ray images to peer beneath the visible spectrum to detect the following types of problems:
- Bone decay
- Impacted teeth
- Damage to the jawbone
- Swelling, cysts or tumors
- Destructive diseases that may show little visible symptoms
#6 – Head, Neck and Lymph Node Checks
Along with checking your mouth, gums and tongue for signs of oral cancer, the dentist will assess your neck, jaw, and lymph nodes (located beneath your jaw line). He or she will be looking for any signs of swelling, lumps or other abnormalities that could be indicators of oral cancer, thyroid issues or other diseases.
By identifying any unnatural growths, these assessments allow for early diagnosis and treatment: two key steps necessary for recovery.
If you’d like to enjoy the benefits of being proactive with your oral health, then now is the time to schedule your first visit!