Your teeth and oral health are extremely important to your overall wellbeing. Many people often take their oral health for granted and as a result, miss dental appointments. Unfortunately, this in itself can be harmful to your health.
Regular dentist visits are not just meant to keep your teeth bright and healthy looking they are meant to also accurately gauge your oral health, thus facilitating the early detection of potentially painful or harmful diseases.
So, if you have been missing your dental appointments, here’s a short list of how you’re possibly hurting yourself.
Missing Early Detection of Oral Cancer
If more people visited the dentists frequently, the chances are that they’ll detect any abnormal growth in the mouth early enough to nip it in the bud while it’s still localized. Oral cancer can often be detected at an early stage if you visit regularly.
In fact, about 35,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed every year in the US. By their very nature, oral cancer can be quite aggressive.
Unfortunately, by the time many people are diagnosed of oral cancer, it’s too late. Protect yourself and your loved ones from this harmful disease or at least give yourself a fighting chance. This is even more important if your family has a history or oral cancers.
Suffering Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection of the soft tissues in your mouth. It has also been linked to a few systemic diseases in the body. While there are many causes of gum disease, it can be easily identified by seeing the dentist. Therefore, it is possible for people to have and carry around gum disease for years until it becomes too uncomfortable; and by then, it’s far gone.
Possible Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Diseases
A joint study between the cardiologist and periodontists found that there is a possible link between gum disease and cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart disease, arteriosclerosis, and even diabetes.
In fact, as a result of the joint study, dentists are continually on the lookout for patients with gum disease. It is not uncommon nowadays for dentists to refer clients to cardiologists if they think the patient might be exhibiting signs of cardiovascular diseases.
So, when patients with gum disease put off going to see their dentist, chances are they are literally toying with their lives and health.
Excessively Stained or Yellowed Teeth
Doubt this? Name one person whose yellowed teeth you like. Anyone? We’re guessing none. That’s because yellow teeth are generally repulsive. While this may not have any direct impact on your health, it could have an impact on your relationships and work.
For instance, some studies have showed that women with whiter teeth are more likely to get higher promotions than those without. Men with whiter teeth are also likely to be considered for a high profile, public positions. Coincidence? Maybe. But then, even you know you’d rather prefer to have someone who is both intelligent and has a great smile represent your organization.
Yes, we know it’s not fair, but that’s the way of the world. Even when you’re bright, your appearance shouldn’t be off-putting. Yellowed teeth are off-putting. Avoid it by having your teeth cleaned and whitened at your dentist’s clinic.
Higher Cost of Treatment
The key to affordable healthcare often lies in the early detection of oral diseases. A late detection means increased expenses and higher medical costs. There’s also the associated physical pain that could have been avoided if the condition had been detected early.
We understand that some people are scared of the dentist. You shouldn’t be. Dentistry has come a long way. With the available dental technology, all treatments are virtually painless. At Orlando Smiles, our dental clinic is staffed with very friendly people who are dedicate
Oscar King is a freelance writer and family man who contributes articles and insight into a healty family and lifestyle.