In the U.S. in 2019, less than 65% of adults over the age of 18 visited the dentist in the previous year. On the other hand, nearly 85% of children between the ages of 2 and 17 visited a dentist in the same period of time.
Taking care of our oral health isn’t just for children. In fact, our oral health might be far more important than you realize.
The health of your teeth, gums, and mouth can have a huge impact on your overall health. For this reason and many others, it’s important to visit your Highlands Ranch dentist regularly.
Need more convincing? Let’s take a look at five reasons why you shouldn’t skip your checkups with your dentist in Highlands Ranch.
1. Spot Oral Health Issues Early On
One of the best reasons to visit your Highlands Ranch family dental office regularly is for preventative care.
When you visit your dentist for regular checkups, you can catch any oral health issues early on before they grow into bigger problems. Things like cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer are problems that could persist for a while before you realize anything’s wrong if you are skipping your dentist’s appointments.
During your regular visit, your dentist will check for plaque and tartar. You might not realize this, but once plaque turns into tartar it can no longer be removed with simple brushing and flossing. If tartar is allowed to build up on your gums and you don’t do anything about it, it can eventually lead to gum disease.
Your dentist will also be able to look for any abnormalities in your gums that could point to periodontitis (gum disease.) This disease isn’t just an issue for your oral health, as it can spread to other organs in your body.
At the same time, your dentist can make sure you don’t have any cavities and also keep an eye out for warning signs of oral cancer.
2. Ensure Your Teeth Are Pearly White
When you visit the dentist regularly, you can ensure that your teeth are pearly white and bright. Not only does this help you to feel like your teeth are clean, but it can also increase your self-esteem. You’ll be more likely to smile when you know that your teeth are fresh and beautiful.
While dentists are essential in preventing, diagnosing, and treating oral health problems, they can also help with the more cosmetic aspects of your teeth, gums, and mouth as well. You can learn more about cosmetic dentistry in Highlands Ranch on our services page.
3. Take a Look Under the Gum Line
Another important function that dentists can perform is taking x-rays of your mouth. They can make sure that everything is health below the gum line, too. With x-rays, they’ll be able to find out if you have issues such as jawbone deterioration or impacted wisdom teeth.
Like most health problems, it’s important to catch issues like this early. Otherwise, if ignored, they could become much bigger problems that are damaging to your health or cause you discomfort.
4. Set a Good Example
Let’s take a minute and refer back to the statistics in the first two sentences of this article. Notice how adults are obviously bringing their children to the dentist, but not necessarily going to the dentist themselves?
When you’re teaching your children about having good oral health, one of the most important things to do is to set a good example. When you show your kids what it means to practice good oral health, they are more likely to keep up the practice once they leave the nest, too.
Don’t let this be a “do as I say, not as I do” situation. Instead, lead by example. Oral health is important for children and adults alike, so you’ll want to show your children this by regularly visiting a Highlands Ranch dental office.
5. Maintain Overall Wellbeing
It is increasingly understood that your oral health is linked to your overall health. There are a number of diseases and conditions that poor oral health might contribute to, including cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, pregnancy and birth complications, and endocarditis.
Some studies have suggested that periodontitis might play a role in a number of different diseases. Additionally, some diseases might impact the body’s immune system regularly, making any oral health problems you might suffer from even more severe.
When you visit your dentist, it’s important to talk to your dentist about any medications you take and if you’ve noticed changes in your overall health. This is particularly true if you suffer from a chronic condition or if you’ve recently been ill.
Practicing good oral hygiene every day doesn’t just keep your teeth white and your breath smelling fresh. It’s an important component of keeping the rest of your body healthy, too.
Are You Looking For a Highlands Ranch Dentist?
Visiting the dentist is about more than just keeping your teeth clean, though it’s about that, too! Your oral health is an important part of the health of the rest of your body. For this reason and many others, it’s vital that you regularly visit your dentist for checkups.
It’s never too late to start visiting your dentist in Highlands Ranch, CO regularly. If you’ve let a little too much time go by in-between visits, there’s no shame in that. What’s important is that you get back to the dentist right away, and stick to a regular, routine schedule to ensure that your oral health stays as healthy as possible.
Is it time for you to make an appointment with a Highlands Ranch dentist? If so, contact us at Meyer Dental today!