Why Regular Dental Visits Are Essential for Maintaining Oral Health

When was the last time that you visited the dentist? Unfortunately, the answer to that for many people is much longer than the recommended six months in between dental cleanings. Every week that goes by without dental care is another week that plaque can accumulate on your teeth and lead to decay. Why are regular dental visits essential for maintaining proper oral health?

Learn About Oral Health

You might be shocked to know that millions of people have access to dental care and still do not know how to properly take care of their teeth. When you visit the dentist’s office regularly, you will be able to learn more about how to take care of your smile. Your hygienist and dentist will work together to help you build healthy habits, like brushing your teeth after meals and flossing every day.

Avoid Future Problems

If you floss every day and brush twice a day, you are already doing more than most people do. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t encounter problems in the future. One of the most important reasons to visit the dentist regularly is to avoid allowing small problems to turn into major issues over time.

For example, during your preventative care visits, your dental hygienist might spot signs of decay on a tooth. This small amount of decay can be handled immediately to prevent it from worsening and leading to a root canal or even a tooth extraction. Sadly, many of the people who deal with gum diseases and painful oral health conditions are dealing with them because they were unable to visit the dentist regularly and their problems went unaddressed.

Get Healthier

Oral health might seem like it is separate from your overall physical health, but the condition of your mouth is deeply intertwined with the condition of your entire body. For example, if you have headaches that are the result of grinding your teeth, your dentist can help you come up with a treatment plan that reduces teeth grinding and helps eliminate your headaches.

Additionally, numerous studies have been done that explore the connection between cardiovascular disease and poor oral health. Periodontal disease has also been connected with rheumatoid arthritis and an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. A mouth that is free from untreated gum disease and decay can help you stay healthy and feel your best every day.

Preserve Your Teeth

After a very severe amount of decay has taken place, a tooth might become unsalvageable and need to be extracted. Once you have all of your adult teeth in your mouth, there is no replacing them without artificial means. By visiting the dentist regularly, you can preserve your teeth for as long as possible and enjoy all that they can do.

If you get to the point where you start having teeth extracted, you must have a dental implant, bridge, or denture placed in your mouth to replace them. While these are all excellent solutions to solve the problem of a missing tooth, there is no true replacement for the teeth that you already have. Every effort should be made to keep them!

Avoid Bad Breath

Bad breath can be the result of health conditions, but it is often the result of tooth decay or poor oral health habits. Until you have decay addressed and plaque accumulation removed, it will be an uphill battle to deal with your bad breath. Regular visits to the dentist prevent decay from accelerating to the point that your breath is impacted, so you can smile and talk with confidence every day.

A Great Smile

It might sound superficial, but a great smile is one of the biggest reasons why people continue to invest in their grins with regular visits to the dentist’s office. Just like you head to the hairdresser to keep your hair healthy and attractive, visiting the dentist will keep your smile healthy and attractive. Your dentist in Rolla can also provide you with advice to make your smile even more beautiful using tools like teeth whitening, Invisalign, and more.