Healthy teeth play a huge role in your life. You need them to eat a nutritious and proper diet, speak clearly and smile with self-confidence. Your family dentist is a wonderful asset, but can’t help you maintain good dental health if you ignore advice or miss critical maintenance appointments. Neglect is a primary reason patients develop decay and gum disease. Reasons you can’t afford to neglect your oral health include:
1. Appearance – Looking good is important, and your teeth reveal a lot about you. If they
are stained, chipped, misshapen, or missing you may be perceived as uncaring or lazy.
2. Ability to chew – If you don’t have teeth or they are causing you discomfort, you probably are unable to eat healthy, nutritious fruits and vegetables; good for you proteins like nuts and many meats; and healthy grains. Although dairy products are good for you, no one wants their diet limited to cottage cheese, pudding, or ice cream on a daily basis.
3. Speaking clearly – We need our teeth to help pronounce words correctly. Missing
dentition can result in a lisp or speech impediment that might not occur if all teeth
were in place.
4. Dental decay – Cavities occur when the protective enamel of a tooth is breached
allowing bacteria to eat away at your healthy tooth. Bacteria increase when the diet
includes too many sweets, carbohydrates, and acidic foods and beverages; and the
patient is not providing necessary daily care.
5. Gum disease – A poor diet, neglectful care, tobacco use, and missed dental
appointments can result in the onset of gum disease. Early symptoms include bleeding,
swollen gum tissue; bad breath; and the appearance of teeth pulling away from gums. If
treatment is not received periodontitis can result with tooth loss as a possible result.
Oral health should be given top priority. Six month check-ups should be honored … those twice yearly visits to the family dentist are important. Your teeth will be cleaned removing plaque that has developed since your previous visit; teeth will be polished to look their best; and a dental exam will catch potential problems before they can escalate into uncomfortable, costly, and time-consuming treatment.
It takes only minutes each day to brush and floss and two hours per year to see your family dentist for cleaning and exam … time well spent. Schedule an appointment with us today!
