Why Visiting the Dentist is Essential for Good Health

Many adults view visiting the dentist as an option, not something on their to do list. This is unfortunate because many of these same adults will also lose teeth during their lifetime. Tooth loss is a serious problem that plagues most adults as they age and enter retirement age. The percentage of adults that have none of their teeth is 30 percent. Simultaneously, only 30 percent of adults ages 35 to 44 have all of their permanent teeth, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Oral health is a major issue, and tooth loss is the result of that, but certainly not the starting point. Gum disease and gingivitis are major health concerns that if left untreated will lead to tooth loss. According to the CDC the rate of gingivitis has increased across most communities. This is a dangerous trend and completely unnecessary given modern dental technology.

Regular trips to the dentist will prevent gum disease, and if caught early enough, the effects of gingivitis can be completely reversed. Gum disease forms when bacteria gathers at your gum line. This is very hard to remove with brushing and flossing alone. Using an antiseptic mouthwash can help but can still leave some bacteria build up. When you schedule a teeth cleaning appointment we are able to remove bacteria and plaque from even hard to reach places. This is essential for keeping your teeth and gums in good health.

For children, regular trips to our office are equally important. Children have a more difficult time brushing and flossing, especially when they are very young. We recommend that you schedule an appointment once your child is a year old so that we can clean and inspect their baby teeth. Many parents are surprised to find that their toddlers have cavities. Taking a bottle to bed or breastfeeding throughout the night can cause cavities to form which is painful for anyone, especially a child. We can help to prevent your child from experiencing pain by simply cleaning their teeth twice a year and applying a fluoride treatment. The fluoride treatment strengthens their teeth to prevent cavities.

Bacteria can easily form in your mouth, regardless of how old you are. When that bacteria mixes with your saliva, it forms plaque. If plaque isn’t removed, it can form tartar. Both of these are very dangerous to your oral health and can cause cavities and a tooth infection. When the center of your tooth becomes infected (dental pulp), the root inside of your tooth can also become infected and cause you to need a root canal in order to remove the infection and clean the area. If this isn’t caught in time the bacteria can spread, and the infection become so severe that pus starts to form inside of your tooth. This worst case scenario may cause a hole in your tooth to form so that the pus can be released. Bacterial infections are a serious health problem and should not be ignored.

Visiting the dentist twice a year is an essential step for maintaining good health. The only way to prevent disease is to practice preventative care.