If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to your dental health beyond the occasional brushing and flossing. Bad oral health can lead to several serious health problems. You can improve your dental health and avoid these problems by seeing your dentist regularly. Besides, regular dental visits can help you catch problems early when they are easier to treat. So, if you want to keep your smile healthy and avoid serious health problems, see your dentist regularly. Here are five ways doing so can improve your dental health:
1. Promote Good Oral Hygiene Habits
Regular visits to the Best dentist in Cary, NC, can help you attain and maintain good oral hygiene habits. This is because your dentist’s main aim is to help you maintain a healthy smile, starting from home care to regular cleaning and scaling at the dental office. Your dentist will also offer personalized tips on improving your oral hygiene habits.
The first step, your dentist, will ensure you learn how to brush regularly and remove bacteria without damaging your teeth. They will also show you the different types of toothbrush bristles available and which one will work best for you. In addition, your dentist will guide you on how to floss correctly to help remove all the bacteria and plaque from your teeth.
Using the right mouthwash can help you maintain good oral hygiene habits. Some types of mouthwash can help reduce gum inflammation, while others can help control bad breath. In addition, your dentist will also advise you on what kind of mouthwash to use.
In addition, your dentist will also teach you about healthy eating habits. They will recommend foods that are rich in calcium and other nutrients that are essential for healthy teeth. They will also advise you to limit sugary and acidic foods as they can contribute to tooth decay.
Finally, the dentist will adequately clean your teeth to eliminate plaque and tartar accumulated during regular dental exams. This will help to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
2. Prevent Cavities and Tooth Decay
Cavities and tooth decay can result from various factors, including bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks, and not brushing your teeth well. When left untreated, this plaque can damage the enamel and gums, leading to tiny holes in your teeth (cavities). The decay can spread if cavities are not treated, eventually leading to tooth loss.
A regular dental check-up will enable the dentist to check your teeth for any obvious flaws or deterioration. If they suspect you have a cavity, they may also order X-rays to get a better view of the inside of your tooth. Some signs that you may have a cavity include:
- Tooth pain, especially when eating or drinking hot, cold, sugary, or acidic foods and drinks
- Visible holes or pits in your teeth
- Sensitivity to sweet, hot, or cold foods
- Dark spots on your teeth
- Pain when biting down
If your dentist identifies any of these signs, they will likely recommend treatment. The most common treatment for cavities is a filling, which involves removing the decayed portion of the tooth and then filling the area with a material, such as an amalgam (a metal alloy) or composite resin (a plastic mixture). If the decay is extensive, your dentist may recommend a crown, a type of dental cap covering the entire tooth. A root canal may sometimes be necessary to remove the decay and save the tooth.
If you do not have any signs of a cavity, your dentist may recommend some preventive measures.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily
- Limit sugary drinks and snacks
- Use dental sealants
- Get fluoride treatments
- The next visit for check-ups and cleanings
3. Detect and Treat Oral Cancer in Its Earliest Stages
Most oral cancers get discovered in the later stages, but early diagnosis and treatment can improve the chances of a cure. A dentist can detect oral cancer during a regular check-up by looking for signs such as red or white patches in the mouth, ulcers, lumps, and abnormal bleeding. If you have any of these symptoms, your dentist will likely refer you to an oral surgeon or otolaryngologist for oral cancer screening.
During oral cancer screening, your doctor will examine your mouth and throat for signs of cancer. They may use a lighted microscope (endoscope) to get a closer look at any areas that look abnormal. If they find anything suspicious, they will likely recommend a biopsy. A biopsy removes a small tissue sample from the mouth or throat so the doctor can examine it under a microscope for signs of cancer.
If you get diagnosed with oral cancer, your treatment will depend on the stage of your cancer. Oral cancer gets treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. In some cases, you may need a combination of treatments. The type of treatment depends on the location and stage of the cancer. Surgery is the most common treatment for oral cancer. Surgery aims to remove cancer and a margin of healthy tissue around it. Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
If your dentist finds out you are cancer-free, they will continue advising you on avoiding risk factors that could lead to oral cancer. In addition, they will educate you on risk factors such as HPV infection, a history of sun exposure, and a diet low in fruits and vegetables. Additionally, they will encourage you to schedule routine cleanings and checkups so that any new abnormal growths can be easy to find before they become more serious.
4. Protect You from Respiratory Illnesses
Dental disease is a common problem that can lead to several serious health problems. One of the most serious is an increased risk of developing respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis. When you have dental disease, bacteria from your mouth can enter your lungs and cause infection. This is especially dangerous for people with chronic lung diseases, such as COPD, bronchitis, and emphysema. The bacteria can make these conditions worse and lead to serious health problems.
The best way to avoid lung problems from dental or gum disease is to keep your mouth healthy. That means brushing and flossing your teeth every day and seeing your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.
If you already have dental or gum disease, there are things you can do to keep your lungs healthy. First, get treatment for dental or gum disease. This will help reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth and lower your risk for lung problems.
In addition, your dentist will advise you to quit smoking because of the many harmful effects it has not just on your teeth and gums but also on your overall health. Furthermore, smoking is a significant risk factor for developing lung diseases such as COPD, emphysema, and lung cancer. Smoking can help reduce the progression of these diseases and, in some cases, may even reverse the damage caused. By keeping your mouth healthy, you can help keep your lungs healthy and avoid serious respiratory problems.
5. Treat Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects breathing. People with sleep apnea stop breathing for short periods during sleep, sometimes dozens of times per hour. This can lead to daytime sleepiness and a wide range of health problems.
While many people think of snoring when they think of sleep apnea, not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. And not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is more common in men and overweight people but can impact anyone.
There are three types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type. It occurs when the throat muscles relax, and the airway becomes blocked.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA): This type of sleep apnea occurs when the brain doesn’t send signals to the muscles that control breathing.
- Mixed sleep apnea: This is a combination of both OSA and CSA.
Your dentist can play an essential role in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. Dentists are often the first healthcare providers to identify the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. Dentists can also provide treatments that can help improve sleep apnea, such as oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances are devices that you can wear in the mouth during sleep. They work by keeping the airway open and preventing the tongue from blocking the throat.
In conclusion, seeing a dentist regularly has many benefits for your dental health. By getting regular check-ups and cleanings, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy and reduce your risk of developing serious problems like respiratory illnesses. In addition, your dentist can advise you on how to best take care of your teeth and gums and why you need to quit smoking. If you have concerns about your dental health, talk to your dentist today to find out how they can help you achieve and maintain good oral health.