2. Taking the whole family to the dentist at least annually for a
checkup is an effective modern phenomenon. It wasn’t long ago
that humans suffered for years with painfully rotting teeth, or had
many of their natural teeth removed. George Washington is
famous for his painful teeth and their wooden replacements.
Taking your family to the dentist preserves natural teeth much
longer, detects oral diseases in the beginning stages and improves
overall health.
The miracle of modern dentistry is the ability to detect decay and
stop it before it becomes widespread. Once teeth begin to rot, or
decay spreads over a large surface area, it is very hard to preserve
the tooth. Today’s dentists have digital x-rays, oral cameras and
other devices that allow them to inspect every surface of your
tooth for danger signs.
3. Careful, regular inspection often means your dentist has been
watching a potential problem area for months, or even years,
before you even need a filling. As soon as the diagnostics indicate
that decay is more than just surface-deep, your dentist will
intervene and fill the cavity before it can spread. The doctor will
then monitor the area during future visits and ensure the filling
remains tight and in good shape.
Optimal oral health means more than just avoiding cavities and
promptly taking care of fillings. Your dentist also checks you
gums during every visit for signs of disease, recession or swelling.
Gum disease can actually lead to tooth decay, so it is important
that any problems are addressed and sorted out to prevent
additional issues from cropping up.
4. Your tongue, cheeks and the other fleshy surfaces of your oral cavity
can be the site of cancer or other problems, and your doctor will use
magnification and other tools to perform a visual inspection and
check for lumps, sores or other problematic spots.
There is an interesting connection between the health of your mouth
and your overall physical condition. Many studies have indicated that
problems in your mouth could indicate more serious health
conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis and
Alzheimer’s disease. The link can usually be traced to bacteria levels
in your mouth, so proper oral health care is essential for disease
prevention. Annual dental exams can lead to earlier disease detection
as well as improved vitality. Your dentist will thoroughly remove any
plaque buildup, efficiently eliminating the breeding grounds for these
nasty bacteria. For more information about a dentist in Capitola,
please visit this website.