If visiting the dentist every six months makes you feel uneasy, you’re not alone. Thousands of people do not keep their bi-annual appointments with their local Eagan dentist, and it’s not because they don’t want to go. Most people dislike going to the dentist. It’s not uncommon if you don’t like to either. Did you know that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2017 that more than 30 percent of adults between the age of 20 and 44 have untreated dental caries (cavities)? Cavities, if not treated promptly, can ultimately lead to tooth decay and tooth loss. In fact, this article is going to share the top five reasons why people need to see their dentist regularly so that they can avoid expensive dental bills and aggravating oral pain later in life.
TOP FIVE REASONS FOR DENTAL VISITS
#1. Detect Oral Cancer
Your dentist, whether they have the technology or not, can guide you through the process of searching for oral cancer. Early detection is early prevention. It’s not enough to hope that you won’t develop oral cancer. In fact, The American Cancer Society estimated for 2018 that more than 51 thousand people will get oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer.
#2. Plaque and Tartar
If enough plaque builds up on your teeth, it can turn to tartar, a hard, crusty shell that allows for the further growth of bacteria. That bacteria, once it has tartar to protect it, will then begin to deteriorate the enamel of your teeth. This is when dental caries (cavities) begin to form. A dental visit helps detect plaque and tartar early so that treatment can be applied to prevent onset tooth decay or gum disease.
#3. Gum Disease
Tartar buildup can result in gum disease, which is an infection of the gums. Inflamed, sometimes bleeding, gums indicate that you have some kind of bacterial infection. The infection can spread beneath the surface of your gums and wreak havoc on the soft tissues of your mouth. What’s more, gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss.
#4. Discover Oral Health Problems
The bones that shape your mouth are a part of your oral health. X-rays help scan your teeth and bones to make sure nothing is amiss. If your dentist in Eagan, MN does notice something, they will take prompt action in informing you. Catching oral health issues early is 80 percent of the effort toward keeping your teeth, gums, and other parts of your mouth healthy.
#5. Lifestyle Habits
Smoking, drinking, and other lifestyle habits that erode your oral health need to be counteracted with more frequent dental visits. Certain lifestyle habits will stain your teeth, erode your teeth, cause halitosis (chronic bad breath), and more. You do need to brush, floss, and rinse your teeth every day, but your local Eagan dentist can help keep more serious oral health issues at bay.
