3 Reasons to See Your Dentist Regularly

You’ve probably heard that regular dental visits are important for your health. But do you know why? It’s not just because dentists want to have regular business. It’s not just because dental insurance plans cover preventive care every 6 months. There are actually 3 very important reasons to see your dentist regularly.

Keeping your teeth and mouth healthy involves a variety of practices, one of which is to visit your dentist for routine cleanings and examinations. Brushing and flossing at home is important as well, but self care alone is not enough. A general dentistry visit typically includes:

• Cleaning. Dental professionals use special tools to remove plaque from teeth and under the gum line where it’s hard to reach with a regular toothbrush.  Also if plaque calcifies (tartar) it can only be removed by a dental professional with special tools. 

• Fluoride Treatment. In addition to cleaning your teeth, regular dental visits include preventive measures such as fluoride treatment that fortify and protect teeth from potential decay.  Depending on your oral health risks this can be crucial in minimizing the dental work you could need. Prevention is key.

• Oral Health Screening. X-Rays and other diagnostic tools are used to identify any possible oral health issues such as cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer. Early detection of any of these leads to better treatment and outcome.

If you have any major oral health issues such as severe decay, missing teeth, cracked or broken teeth, gum disease, misaligned teeth, or other conditions that require restoration, visiting your dentist regularly is important both before and after restorative procedures are done. Some examples of restorative procedures include:

• Cavity fillings. A cavity is a small hole in a tooth where it has begun to decay. Usually if a cavity is discovered early enough, it can be filled easily. 

• Root canals. When a cavity gets deep enough that it reaches the root of a tooth or if the root is damaged from an injury, a root canal can preserve the tooth by removing the pulp inside the tooth and properly restored with a crown after. 

• Crowns. A tooth that is too damaged to restore can sometimes be filed down and covered with a crown, which is basically a cap over the tooth that looks and functions like a natural tooth. 

• Dental Implants. When a tooth is missing or severely damaged to the point of needing extraction, a dental implant can be put in its place. An implant consists of an artificial tooth root and crown that is implanted in the jaw bone. It looks and functions like a natural tooth.  It is the closest thing to replacing your natural tooth.

It has been discovered that there are significant links between a person’s oral health and their general health and well-being. Poor oral hygiene has been linked to:

• Heart Disease. Severe plaque buildup on the teeth seems to be related to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. There is also an increased risk of oral bacteria infecting the blood when there is a higher concentration in the mouth due to poor dental hygiene. 

• Diabetes. Poor oral health can be a predictor of diabetes. People who suffer from diabetes have a greater risk of gum disease due to high blood sugar. 

• Cancer. Although the cause is still uncertain, there is a definite correlation between poor oral health and different types of cancer throughout the body.

Regular dentist visits include an oral exam that will identify any of these risks so that steps can be taken as soon as possible to correct the issue and reduce the risk.

The 3 reasons listed above are excellent reasons to visit Emerson Dental at least twice a year. Emerson Dental focuses on the whole patient, not just their teeth. From regular cleanings to restorative measures to cosmetic procedures, your complete oral health needs are covered. Thorough oral examinations and diagnostics can identify any serious health issues and potential risks early for the best possible outcome. 

Call (978) 399-0071 today to make an appointment at our Westford office or call (781) 394-9213 for our Bedford office. You can also request an appointment here. We look forward to seeing you on a regular basis for optimal oral health.