The Importance of Routine Dentist Visits

Why Are Routine Dentist Visits Important?

Everyone loves a clean, beautiful smile – any many people may believe they can maintain a healthy mouth by brushing twice a day, and flossing occasionally. However, not everyone understands that going to the dentist does more than keep your mouth clean. Did you know that routine visits (every 6 months) are recommended by the American Dental Association?

The Link Between Oral and Overall Health

What is unknown to most is that a dentist does not only care of a patient’s teeth and gums. Their education also allows them to care for head, neck, and jaw muscles, as well as salivary glands, and the nervous system of the head and neck. Oral health has also been linked to numerous general health conditions, such as:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Endocarditis
• HIV/AIDS
• Osteoporosis
• Alzheimer’s
• Premature births/Low birth weight

Even the World Health Organization has created an Oral Health Programme, highlighting the connection between oral and overall health.

Routine Dental Visits

Routine dental check-ups certainly help to keep your mouth clean, but also allow your dentist to check for warning signs that may signify overall health, and possibly inform of more serious disease elsewhere in the body. Regardless of whether you believe your mouth is ‘clean,’ make sure to take care of your overall health by scheduling an appointment every 6 months, and following these tips:

Children should begin visiting the dentists no later than their first birthday.

• Brush twice daily
• Use toothpaste that contains fluoride
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria
• Floss at least once a day
• Use mouth wash
• Schedule additional appointments, as needed

If you are anxious about visiting the dentist, read how Sedation Dentistry can help.

To schedule an appointment, call 952-443-3368.