Visiting your dentist may not be your favorite activity, but regular dental checkups are an essential part of preventative health care.
So the next time you’re wondering if you should skip the next dental appointment (the answer is no!), here are five reasons why your dentist and your dental health are important to you:
You can’t regrow them!
One of the main functions of teeth is to break down food by cutting and crushing it so that our body can quickly process it for digestion. We all need food to survive, and as adults we only have one set of permanent teeth. So, we have to take care of our teeth for our life!
These are more than beautiful teeth
Since the mouth is one of the main entrances to the body, your oral health can mean much more to your body than the health of your mouth, teeth and gums. Bacteria from the mouth can easily spread through the bloodstream and cause downstream infections.
For example, certain bacteria that cause gum disease can enter the bloodstream and cause plaque to build up in the arteries, which eventually leads to blood flow problems, blockages, or even a heart attack.
A healthy mouth, a healthy baby
Good oral hygiene is imperative for a pregnant woman as any form of infection in the mother can implicate the pregnancy. Oral health issues, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, have been shown to cause premature birth and low birth weight.
Limit these bad habits
Many bad habits can harm your oral health. Smoking and drinking coffee and red wine are well-known examples, but did you know that biting your nails and eating sticky candy can also cause mouth sores?
During your regular checkups, your dentist will check for any damage caused by habits you might not otherwise have realized. Identifying existing problems early and resolving them as soon as possible is key to maintaining your oral health.
It’s not just physical
Poor dental health can have a negative impact on overall quality of life as it not only affects your physical well-being, but also your psychological and social health. The mouth and teeth play an important role in verbal and non-verbal communication. Any disease that disrupts this function can often affect self-esteem and social relationships.
And, of course, there is the pain factor. If you have experienced it, you know that oral diseases such as bleeding gums and cavities hurt. So why not save yourself the pain and visit your dentist?