“I will go to the dentist when my teeth start hurting.” Have you ever expressed something along those lines? If so, you are far from alone. Many people choose to visit their dentist only when they have obvious signs of an oral health problem. However, that approach is deeply flawed. It is much better to visit your dentist regularly so they can identify and address oral health issues before they become serious. How can you benefit from early detection? This blog post explains.
Preserve Your Overall Health
Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body — and not just for food. In fact, poor oral health (specifically, gum disease) is associated with an increased risk of numerous systemic health conditions, including heart attack, stroke, and even dementia. A routine dental exam can identify gum disease in its early stages, so you may be able to reverse it before it endangers your head-to-toe wellness.
Avoid Pain
A toothache is one of the most distracting types of pain. It can make it impossible to enjoy your meals or concentrate on routine tasks. The good news is that most toothaches can be prevented. In fact, early signs of decay usually do not cause any obvious symptoms. Your dentist may be able to identify and treat it long before you end up in excruciating pain.
Regular dental care may even prevent cavities from forming in the first place; a thorough dental cleaning can remove dangerous plaque and tartar that could lead to decay later on.
Get Personalized Advice
You probably brush and floss your teeth regularly, but are your habits and lifestyle really supporting your oral and overall health? During routine checkups, your dentist and their team can provide you with advice that is tailored to your unique situation. They can recommend specific oral hygiene products, tell you about nutrients that can support your oral health, and even provide assistance if you are seeking to quit a bad habit like smoking.
Save Money
Some people avoid regular dental visits because they do not want to spend money on checkups and cleanings. The reality is, if you keep up with routine oral care, you can actually end up saving quite a bit of money. For example, your dentist might discover a small cavity. Filling the cavity may cost a few hundred dollars (with insurance, the out-of-pocket cost may be very low). In contrast, if the cavity remains untreated and becomes larger, the tooth may end up requiring root canal therapy and a crown, which can cost thousands of dollars.
Save Your Life
In rare cases, routine dental care is a matter of life and death. Your dentist should screen you for oral cancer during regular exams. They can alert you to signs of this dangerous disease so you can seek timely diagnosis and treatment.
Early detection of oral health issues is important! If it has been longer than six months since your last dental appointment, now is the time to book a visit.
Meet the Practice
At the Center for Contemporary Dentistry, our team is proud to provide a range of oral health services for families in our community. We strongly encourage regular exams and cleanings so our patients can avoid future problems. To learn more about us and how we may be able to serve you, contact our Belmont, NH, office at 603-556-7047.