1) Dental Check Ups Include Oral Cancer Screenings
When you go for your regular dental check up, your dentist and hygienist
are also screening you for any signs of oral cancer. Every hour of
every day, someone dies of oral cancer in the United States. This
serious dental disease which pertains to the mouth, lips or throat
is often highly curable if diagnosed and treated in the early stages.
Visiting your dentist for regular check ups and avoiding tobacco are
the key factors in preventing oral cancer.
2) Periodontal (Gum) Disease Affects Your Overall Health
Gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults and
has also been linked to heart disease and strokes. If diagnosed in
the early stage, gingivitis, can be treated and reversed. If treatment
is not received, a more serious and advanced stage of gum disease
including bone loss may follow. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily,
regular dental check ups and cleanings are the best prevention against
gum disease.
3) Dental Cleanings and Check Ups are Extremely Important
Going to the dentist for regular check ups & cleanings is one
of the most important factors in maintaining good oral health. Regular
check ups can prevent cavities, root canals, gum disease, oral cancer
and other dental conditions. Don’t wait until you have a problem
before you see your dentist, help prevent problems before they happen.
4) Brushing Twice a Day Helps to Keep the Cavities Away
When you brush your teeth at least twice a day, you are removing the
plaque that causes cavities. Plaque is the soft and sticky substance
that accumulates on the teeth from food debris and bacteria. Flossing
daily will remove the plaque from in between the teeth that the toothbrush
cannot reach. Removing plaque from your teeth also helps to prevent
gum disease.
5) Bad Breath Could be the Result of a Dental Problem
About 85% of people with persistent bad breath have a dental condition
that is to blame. If bad breath is the cause of a dental condition,
mouthwash will only mask the odor and not cure it. Don’t be
embarrassed to talk to your dentist, they are there to help you. Flossing
daily and brushing your teeth & tongue twice a day can greatly
reduce and possibly eliminate bad breath.
6) Proper Nutrition is Important for Good Dental Health
The sugars from soft drinks and non-nutritional foods combine with
the bacteria in our mouths which produces acids that attack tooth
enamel. This can lead to cavities and gum disease. Limiting the amount
of beverages and foods that are high in sugar can greatly help to
maintain good dental health.
7) Dental Problems Do Not Get Better or Go Away Without Treatment
If your dentist gives you a treatment plan for dental work that you
need to have done, you should focus on getting your teeth fixed as
soon as possible. Even cavities continue to get bigger. If they get
big enough to reach the nerve in your tooth, your only options would
be to have a root canal or have the tooth extracted.
8) A Root Canal is Usually Not Painful
I can’t tell you how many times I have heard a patient say,
“Just pull the tooth, I’ve heard root canals are horrible.”
With today’s technology, root canals are nothing like most people
think. I have had root canals and I was pleasantly surprised every
time. In my opinion, a root canal is as painless as having a filling.
9) You Should Change Your Toothbrush Every 3 Months
Manual toothbrushes become worn out after about 3 months and are not
as effective as they once were. If you have gum disease, you should
change your toothbrush every 4 - 6 weeks because bacteria can harbor
in the bristles. You should always rinse your toothbrush out with
hot water after every use and change it after you have been sick.
10) Maintaining Good Dental Health is Easy
Some people think that having good dental health takes too much effort.
Seeing your dentist for regular dental check ups and cleanings, brushing
twice a day, flossing daily and eating a nutritional diet are the
key factors in having healthy teeth and gums. Now, what’s so
hard about that?
From the article Facts Your Dentist Wants You To Know by
Tammy Davenport.