Ensuring that you’re healthy doesn’t just mean maintaining a nutritious diet and visiting your doctor for your yearly physical. Recent research has discovered connections to your overall wellbeing and your oral health. So, those semi-annual checkups and cleanings with your dentist that you’ve been putting off could be having more of an impact on your body than you think. During your routine visits, your dentist in Carrollton performs important examinations that can lead to diagnosing life-threatening illnesses. Putting off having your mouth cleaned and inspected could be allowing small symptoms to slip through the cracks and developing into larger problems like gum disease or oral cancer. Read on for 4 reasons you should call up your dentist before it’s too late.
Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease
Recent research has established a link between gum and heart disease. The same bacteria that are known to cause gum infections and decay were found in heart disease patients. When bacteria are left to accumulate in your mouth, they can eventually infect your bloodstream and travel through your body. They can cause blood vessel inflammation as well as small blood clots that can lead to fatal heart attacks as well. Keeping up with your oral hygiene and visiting your dentist every 6 months can reduce your risk of developing heart disease and control harmful bacteria buildup.
Detect Oral Cancer Before It’s Too Late
You may not have noticed, but when you go in for your dental cleaning and checkup, your dentist performs an oral cancer screening. Catching oral cancer in its early stages drastically increases your chances of survival because it’s significantly easier to treat.
With gloved hands, your dentist will inspect your mouth for any symptoms of oral cancer such as red and white patches. They’ll feel your oral tissues in search of any abnormalities or lumps. If they find any problem areas, your dentist can request additional testing in order to get a diagnosis.
Find and Treat Cavities
Even if you brush twice a day and floss, plaque can still build up in hard-to-reach places. When plaque is left to accumulate, it can harden and form tartar and cause your mouth to become a bacterial breeding ground. Visiting your dentist for regular cleanings can keep tartar from causing cavities and even gum disease. Your dentist uses a series of special tools that are designed to get plaque and tartar that your toothbrush can’t. Remember that a cleaning is less expensive than gum disease therapy or a filling!
Tackle Gum Disease
Gum disease has been linked to a number of health problems such as diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. When plaque and tartar are left to accumulate in your mouth, it can cause harmful bacteria to thrive and infect your gums. When it reaches its advanced stages, it can cause your gums to recede and expose vulnerable parts of your teeth like the roots. When your teeth don’t have a stable and healthy foundation, it can cause them to shift and result in tooth loss. Dental cleanings are the key to catching and treating gum disease symptoms before they cannot be reversed.
Visiting your dentist for your semi-annual checkups and cleanings can help detect life-threatening illnesses before they progress and become harder to treat. Preventing little problems from turning into large ones can save you time and money in the long run. Putting your oral health in harm’s way could be jeopardizing your overall wellbeing, so schedule your routine visit today!
About the Author
Dr. Tammy Ton goes out of her way to make each patient feels comfortable as soon as they walk through the doors. She enjoys serving patients of all ages with the highest quality of dental care. She keeps up with the latest advancements in her field by continuing her education. For any questions or to schedule an appointment, visit LuxSmile Family Dentistry’s website or contact 972-698-5988.