The sooner dental problems are diagnosed and treated, the less costly
Have you or your children had your annual dental checkup this year? If not, be sure to pencil in time in your schedule. While oral health checkups are easy to disregard if you don’t suspect problems with your teeth, these yearly checkups are actually vital to overall health. Check out why an annual visit to the dentist for a check-up is one of the most important things you can do for your health.
Target Dental Problems Early
The sooner dental problems are diagnosed and treated, the less costly they are to your pocket and your overall oral health. For example, a tiny cavity is an easy fix, and a simple dental filling is not that costly. However, if the cavity is allowed to spread, a patient may need a root canal or crown to restore the tooth. These procedures can be highly effective, but can also be more costly to address.
Negate the Risk of Gum Disease
Gum disease affects almost half of all adults, and even children can develop problems. One of the scariest things about gum disease is that it can be linked to more severe health problems, such as:
- Coronary artery disease
- Diabetes
- Respiratory disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Some researchers believe when the bacteria associated with gum disease enters the bloodstream from the mouth, this puts other vital systems at risk.
Get Insight Into Overlooked Bad Habits
Even when patients believe they are taking good care of their teeth, some problems may be harder to spot. For example, if a child is not flossing their teeth as they should, plaque can accumulate between the teeth and lead to gum disease or decay. An annual checkup gives the dentist a look at bad oral hygiene habits that need to be addressed.
Lower the Risk of Tooth Loss
One major reason annual checkups are so important is that the overall goal should always be to keep natural teeth for as long as possible. Extractions are sometimes necessary, but losing teeth can also detrimentally affect your health. For example, did you know your teeth are important to the digestive system? Chewed food is easier to digest, which means the digestive system does not have to work so hard to break down food. Likewise, losing some teeth can change the overall bite and lead to a heightened risk of tooth damage.
Is it time for an annual checkup? Reach out to our office to schedule your appointment today.
