Dental health should not be overlooked. A toothache is not as simple as childhood stories are, and it warrants an immediate dental consultation.
The best person who can treat any dental health problems is a licensed dentist. However, many people are afraid to consult a dentist for various reasons, so it’s important that you’re made aware of why you should need to consult a dentist for your oral health.
Below are the important benefits of dental consultation and preventive oral care when dental issues arise:
Regular Dental Consultation Is Crucial to Your Overall Health
Oral health should be prioritized because it’s one of the keys to achieving good overall health. Poor oral hygiene may lead to gum disease and dental cavities. Also, it has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. People with periodontal disease and diabetes likely have more problems controlling their blood sugar as compared to diabetic patients with healthy gums.
Gum disease increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and clogged arteries. It also worsens any existing heart disease. Also, when bacteria from the mouth reaches the lungs, it may cause lung infections and worsen lung conditions. Poor oral hygiene and infrequent dental visits lead to poorer overall health. That’s you have to consult a trusted and reputable dentist, like one from Ostrem Dental, to safeguard your oral health.
A dentist performs two procedures in a dental visit. First, your dentist will check for cavities by taking x-rays. Plaque (sticky layer) and tartar (hardened plaque) will be checked as well. Dental check-up also includes a careful examination of the face, head, tongue, throat, and neck. The dentist will check for any signs of redness, swelling, or signs of cancer.
Regular Dental Consultation Prevent Periodontal Disease
The American Dental Association (ADA) highly recommends regular dental consultation at intervals. ADA reminds consumers about the importance of regular dental visits, which should be tailored by dentists. It means that the best way to handle oral health is by complying with the frequency of dental visits that your dentist recommends.
The University of Michigan School of Dentistry researchers explored the link between the frequency of preventive dental health visits and long-term tooth loss in adults considering the risk factors for periodontal disease, including diabetes, smoking, and interleukin-1 genetic variations.
Here are the findings of the study:
- Individual risk factors dictate the required number of dental cleanings per year to prevent periodontal disease.
- High-risk patients will likely benefit from frequent dental visits.
- Low-risk patients will notice the same benefits even from an annual single cleaning.
- The takeaway of this study is that personalized oral care is important for good oral health.
The ADA encourages everyone to work closely with dental health professionals to identify potential risk factors that’ll determine the frequency and need for follow up visits. In that way, the results of preventive care are enhanced.
Consulting a Dentist Prevents Dental Health Complications
Periodontal disease refers to the infection of the oral structures surrounding the teeth, including gums, alveolar bone, and periodontal ligament. In the earliest stage, gingivitis or inflamed gums are evident. In more severe forms, all oral tissues are involved.
If periodontal disease is neglected, it may result in risks and complications, including the following:
- Tooth loss
- Tooth abscesses
- Teeth migration
- Pregnancy complications
- Tooth root exposure
- Oral cancer
- Increased risk of heart disease, respiratory diseases, cancer, and diabetes
Regular Dental Consultation Helps Improve the Quality of Life
Advancing age or old age puts senior citizens at risk for several oral health problems, including dark teeth, diminishing sense of taste, uneven jawbone, xerostomia or dry mouth, gum disease (like gingivitis), tooth loss, and stomatitis or inflammation of the lips and mouth due to wearing dentures. A higher level of dryness of mouth or xerostomia is linked with a poorer quality of life.
Seniors or elderly patients are prone to dental health issues because the oral structures naturally weaken with age. Regular dental visits help improve the quality of life of senior citizens because oral health issues are addressed. Seniors need regular dental visits to ensure that oral health is monitored. It will avoid aggravating any medical conditions, such as heart disease and lung disease.
Conclusion
When it comes to oral health, consulting a dentist should be regularly carried out. It’ll prevent the development of periodontal diseases, prevent risks and aggravation of other medical conditions, and improve a person’s quality of life.
By taking care of your teeth and gums, you’ll enjoy eating and communicating with other people without worrying about bad breath, ugly teeth, or pain. So, whether dental health issues arise or not, regular dental consultation should be done.