This week I have an important topic to discuss. Most of the time I talk about new and interesting discoveries in dentistry, but this week I plan on explaining the most basic yet most important topic regarding dentistry, why should you even go to the dental office! My previous blogs lightly talk about why it is necessary to go to the dentist, this post is a deep dive into the benefits of regular dental checkups. Most people who have the insurance or can afford going to the dentist only go because it is a social norm and is paid for, but they do not understand the benefits of going to the dentist every 6 months and its overall health implications on daily life.
(Oral Cancer; Doctors Magazine)
The article “Regular Dental Visits are Important”, in the Sydney Herald, explains the reasons good oral health is a team effort between you and your dentist. Although you can maintain strong and healthy teeth and gums by brushing and flossing, that is not all there is to good oral health. Going to the dental office allows professionals to identify and treat problems before they become major issues.
The number one reason to visit the dentist is to prevent gum disease. This is highly important because there is a direct link between periodontal disease and heart disease. Also, as I have explained in previous blogs, gum disease can lead to an abundance of health issues beyond heart problems including alzheimer's, pancreatic cancer, diabetes and leukemia.
Another vital reason to visit your local dentist is to help detect oral cancer. Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco are leading causes of oral cancer development. Research has concluded that one American dies of oral cancer every hour. Hence, it is important to go to the dentist so oral cancer can be detected early. Each cleaning comes with a screening for oral cancer.
Furthermore, it is important to go to the dentist to have a healthy smile. Regular cleaning will help improve your smile which increases self-confidence. With increased confidence, your daily life will improve significantly. As such, good oral health is directly related to good mental health.
In addition, regular dental visits help maintain a historical record of your oral health. With a professional keeping records of your visits, it is easy for them to tell you if your teeth are as healthy as they used to be or if you need to change a few habits to preserve that healthy smile.
As you can see, it is important to go to the dentist to sustain good overall health. Research has proven that there is a direct correlation between oral health and overall health. With less than average oral health you may be at risk
This article provides the most important reasons as to why people should visit a dentist, and I hope it positively influences an audience with poor oral health behaviors. Most people, including myself, believe that they can fix any solution with the internet. This misconception has pushed many people away from the dentist because Google can now tell them if they have a problem or not. Skipping dental check up may not seem like a big deal, but in the long run it could be life threatening. I hope you found this entry interesting enough to schedule your next appointment! Thank you and see you next week!
Robert Mora
Doctors Magazine Nigeria, “The Demons of Oral Cancer” Doctors Magazine, 1 Oct 2015, http://www.doctorsmagazineng.com/the-demons-of-oral-cancer/, accessed 5 Nov 2016
Cotrell, Sheridan. "Regular Dental Visits Are Important." Sidney Herald. Sidney Herald, 18 Feb. 2015. Web. 4 Nov. 2016.
This is a really interesting spin on a common profession and a prompted post at the same time. I really like how you touched on very serious issues like gum disease and cancer and how without the dentist, it would be almost impossible to detect these things. You touch on a very simple action of the dentist and bring it into a very serious light. Well done!
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