There are two types of advice in life: advice you can ignore and advice you should take. Advice like, “Don’t eat carbs,” definitely falls into the ‘Ignore’ category. But, “See a dentist in Plainview every six months”? That’s one you want to pay attention to!
Keep reading to learn about the three top reasons to get regular dental care. You’ll learn how your oral health is connected to your entire body, why regular visits save you money in the long-term, and how your checkups give you a smile that’s both beautiful and healthy!
Better Overall Health
Over the last 20 years, researchers have found an incredible amount of evidence that oral health is connected to overall health. How? One main theory is that inflammation in the mouth is linked to inflammation all over the body.
In addition, plaque and tartar under the gumline are made of many types of bacteria that easily enter the bloodstream and travel from head to toe. Some of these bacteria cause plaque to form in the heart, brain and arteries.
Studies show that poor gum health leads to an increased risk for all of the following:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Some Cancers
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Pregnancy complications
- Diabetes
In addition to helping you have a healthier mouth (and body), regular dental care also includes an oral cancer screening every six months. As with all forms of cancer, early detection is key!
A More Beautiful Smile
It can’t be overstated: A healthy smile is a beautiful smile! If the gums are bleeding and inflamed or the teeth have cavities and stains, it will show in your smile.
Having a checkup and cleaning every six months is an opportunity to make sure the foundation of your smile is healthy. In addition, plaque, tartar and stains are removed during these appointments so your teeth will shine their brightest!
Less Dental Work Over Time
The same way getting regular maintenance on your car is important for keeping it running great and preventing major breakdowns, getting regular dental care is crucial for catching oral health problems when they’re small and easier to fix.
Here are some of the ways bi-annual visits can prevent small problems from becoming larger:
- Gum monitoring – In advanced stages, gum disease leads to tooth loss, but the good news is that tooth loss can be prevented with early intervention.
- Catching cavities early – Routine x-rays and checkups find cavities when they’re small and aren’t causing pain yet. That’s when they’re the easiest and least expensive to fix! If you wait until you’re in pain, you’ll need more involved treatment.
- Maintain your dental work – If you’ve invested in your oral health by getting crowns, bridges and implants, it’s worth it to protect your investment with regular maintenance!
Remember, when it comes to your health, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
About the Author
Dr. Miguel Casanas is a general, restorative and cosmetic dentist whose proudest achievement is the long-term relationship he has with his patients. He knows that the best results come from friendly, compassionate, personal attention and makes it a priority to provide that to each and every patient. If you have any questions, he can be reached via his website or at (516) 346-5655.