We’ve all experienced it, the sweaty palms, the overwhelming sense of dread, the fear of hearing the words, “you have a cavity” come from your dentist’s mouth. Although trips to the family dentist can be a very real source of anxiety for some people, it is also one of the most important things we should be doing regularly to ensure we are staying as healthy as possible.
No matter your age, you should be visiting your family dentist twice a year for checkups and thorough cleanings. Unfortunately, many people do not see their dentist as often as they should, which can lead to a variety of dental health issues. Many of these, if left untreated, can worsen and even end up affecting your general health. To further convince you, here are four reasons why you should be seeing your family dentist every six months.
Cavities
Cavities may seem like more of a nuisance than anything, but untreated dental caries can lead to a multitude of dental health and even overall health issues. Recent studies have shown that people of all ages have a high number of untreated cavities. 18.6% of children between the ages of five to 19, and 31.6% of adults 20 to 44 years old all have at least a few cavities that have yet to be treated.
Although no one likes to hear from their dentist that they have cavities, getting immediate treatment is much better than delaying for as long as possible. Doing so can lead to intense tooth pain or even infections that can ultimately become life-threatening. Do yourself, and your teeth, a favor by visiting your family dentist at your scheduled visits, and especially when you begin to notice tooth pain.
Periodontal Disease and Tooth Loss
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a serious infection that affects the tissue surrounding your teeth. Gum disease symptoms are often painless and easy to miss, causing around 60% of people with this disease to not even realize they have it. In worst cases, if gum disease is not diagnosed and treated, it can even lead to jaw damage or tooth loss.
The sad truth is that more people have gum disease than most realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 64.7 million American suffer from periodontitis. In fact, half of all 30-year-old Americans suffer from this more severe form of gum disease. Because gum disease is often asymptomatic, one of the only ways you can diagnose this disease is during your regular visit to your family dentist.
Oral Cancer
Like many diseases, the older we get, the more likely we are to develop oral cancer. Some other risk factors for developing this disease include heavy drinking and smoking. Oral cancer can present in a variety of ways and can affect any tissue in the mouth. If left untreated, oral cancer can be extremely painful, and unfortunately, deadly.
The good news is that the dentistry field is highly focused on the detection and treatment of oral cancer. This means dentists are able to quickly and easily recognize the signs and symptoms of this disease. As you age, make visiting your dentist a priority, as it could help you save more than just your teeth.
Admittedly, visits to your family dentist are not the most fun, and can sometimes be a little painful. But a little pain can save you a lot of pain, or even life-threatening health issues, in the future. From cavities to oral cancer, your dentist will ensure you get the treatment you need to keep your dental health at its best. For these, and many other reasons, make sure to visit your dentist twice a year to ensure you are staying as healthy as possible.