Some of you, of course, are diligent, returning at least every six months for an exam and to say hello to the team that keeps your mouth healthy. But did you know it’s not just you’re mouth dentists take care of when you visit?
They’re also on the hunt for health concerns that affect much more than your smile; these illnesses can affect your life.
Cancer
If you’ve successfully rationalized not going to the dentist for years, or take a certain degree of pride in skipping your semi-annual visit, the results of a study of oral cancer patients may help you refocus.
That study found that “decreasing dental check frequencies (more than 12 months) may significantly increase the stage and size of tumors at diagnosis.”
That’s important. If plaque and gingivitis don’t motivate you, perhaps catching oral cancer early is.
Diabetes
25.8 million children and adults in the United States – 8.3% of the population – have diabetes. And not too far behind those 25.8 million are the estimated 79 million Americans with prediabetes.
Excessive tooth decay, gingivitis, fungal infections and a loss of taste sensation can all point to diabetes. An observant dentist will notice these concerns, and perhaps suggest a test for diabetes.
Again, catching this disease early is critical to long-term health.
Beauty
Believe it or not, others do notice the plaque on your teeth, the redness of your gums, and, of course, foul-breath.
Regular visits to the dentist help to keep the mouth clean, helping you to avoid the advancement of these troubles into periodontal disease and all the fun that can come with that – including tooth loss, surgery and gum grafts.
In some ways, it’s helpful to consider a visit to the dentist as similar to a visit to the car dealership for your automobile tune-up. Each visit involves an oil change, but it also involves a check of many other systems that tie into the safety of your vehicle.
The same is true when visiting the dentist. So, keep those regular appointments every six months!