Do Not Put Off Visiting the Dentist

Preventative care is important, and your dentist is part of that routine.  Most people understand the value of seeing a doctor for an annual physical.  Your doctor can check your blood pressure, weight, and see if you are at risk for any types of disease.  Annual visits help people to catch cancer and heart disease before it becomes a problem.  Having your teeth examined every year is just as important.When your teeth and cleaned and inspected we are able to remove bacteria that can turn into major health problems.  We can also identify any potential issues before they spread into a painful cavity, tooth decay, or gum disease.Probably the worst thing that can happen by not visiting the dentist is that your teeth fall out.  While this may seem dramatic, it happens to a lot of people, which is why so many elderly people wear dentures.  It used to be so bad that people just expected to not have any teeth eventually.  With modern technology, there are ways to prevent tooth loss.  They require making regular appointments and practicing preventative care at home.One of the major causes of tooth loss is gum disease.  The early symptoms are minimal, so people do not always catch it right away.  This includes sensitive gums, slight bleeding while brushing teeth, or irritation.  Gingivitis is the first stage and can be reversed if you catch it in time.  By removing the bacteria from your teeth and gums, gingivitis can be stopped.  When you maintain good oral health at home through brushing, flossing, and rinsing with antiseptic mouthwash you can prevent gingivitis from forming again.  The key is a regular trip to the dentist so that bacteria can be removed from the small places it likes to form.If you have lost teeth, there are ways to restore them.  Dentures are one option, while dental implants are a more permanent solution.  With implants, we install a synthetic root system that a new tooth is attached to.  This new tooth functions like a natural one, making it easy to take care of. The best scenario is that by having regular preventative care dental appointments, you never lose any of your teeth.Even if tooth loss is not a lingering problem, cavities can form and make it painful to eat.  Cavities form when bacteria mixes with your saliva and forms plaque.  If the plaque is not removed, it can form a cavity.  At first, it may not be too painful and just cause slight discomfort.  The key is to catch it early and remove the infection before it spreads.  Otherwise, you could end up with a tooth that is black or brown and painful.  If your teeth start hurting all of a sudden, schedule a dental appointment so that we can remove any infection and help you to start feeling better again.We treat patients of all ages and recommend that you schedule an appointment at least once per year.  Regular care will help you to stay healthy and enjoy your life without pain or tooth loss.