When was the last time you visited the doctor for a preventive oral health care visit? Chances are that you had at least one visit in the previous year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 83% of adults were seen by a healthcare professional in 2020. 

But what about a trip to the dentist for an oral evaluation and dental cleaning? Our guess is that fewer of you reading this article can raise your hand and say that you were seen by a dentist. According to the most recent statistics from the CDC, in 2019, only 65.5% of adults aged 18−64 had a dental visit in the past 12 months. So why are people so much less likely to visit the dentist than the doctor? After all, oral health matters and is directly linked to overall health.

Don’t skip out on those trips to the dentist – your oral health matters.

Most dentists recommend that patients of any age see their dentist every six months. Routine oral care consisting of an oral evaluation and dental cleaning reduces the risks of developing bigger, more severe oral health problems down the road. Aside from that, routine oral health evaluations every six months can provide the following benefits.

1. They save you time and money.

As we said above, going to the dentist every six months can help you prevent more serious issues in the future. Plus, the more severe your oral health ailment, the more costly and time-consuming it can be to correct. For example, tooth decay and gum disease can continue to progress, adding time and expense to future visits and treatments. Bacteria from gum disease and other conditions can make their way into your bloodstream, traveling to other areas of your body, including your heart and lungs. Further, sub-par dental care makes you more vulnerable to various dental emergencies such as a cracked, chipped, or knocked-out tooth.

So, getting in front of your oral health now with regular dental evaluations will indeed save you time and money. We should also mention that most routine dental evaluations  are less than an hour in length. However, restorative dental treatments can be far more time-consuming, often requiring lengthy appointments and multiple visits. Thus, even if your oral health is excellent, regular evaluations can help you keep it that way. 

2. Healthy gums equal a healthy body.

Your gums serve as a barrier that helps your body avoid dangerous inflammation. Those with gum disease are more likely to have health issues such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even premature births or low birthweight babies. 

Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. Patients with gingivitis will experience irritation, redness, and swelling of the gums around the base of their teeth. But when gingivitis isn’t treated promptly, it can lead to a more serious and irreversible form of gum disease, called periodontitis. 

Preventing gum disease can be as easy as practicing a good oral care routine at home. This means brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice daily for two minutes each, flossing between all teeth once each day, and rinsing after flossing with a soft-bristled toothbrush. But sometimes, we just don’t effectively get at some of those hard-to-reach areas, and this is where a trip to the dentist can help. Your dentist can access all of those areas, removing pesky plaque before it turns into tooth decay. So why not keep that visit to the dentist on the calendar? Your oral health and your overall health will thank you for it. 

3. They can prevent tooth loss.

As adults, we’re not supposed to lose our teeth. However, gum disease and tooth decay are the leading cause of tooth loss. When we lose our teeth, it can have negative consequences on our jawbone density, can cause shifting of other teeth in the mouth, and can cause malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth), which in turn, can increase our chances of developing gum disease, tooth decay, or tooth loss.

Request an appointment today with Dental Care Associates of Buffalo!

If you have been putting off a trip to the dentist, there is no better time than now to schedule an appointment. We make this process easy. You can either request an appointment using our online form, contact us by phone at (763) 373-9748, or email us at info@dr2thofbuffalo.com. 

Don’t have dental insurance? No worries. Check out our Buffalo dental clinic membership plan before your appointment. Our membership plan provides a variety of benefits including two dental cleanings per year, two complete dental evaluations, all necessary X-rays as part of regular dental evaluations, and so much more.

Don’t put off your oral health any longer. We’re confident we’re the right family dentist for you. Not only do we offer comprehensive dental care, but you can trust us to provide you with a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience in the dental chair. We look forward to seeing you. Schedule your appointment today.