4 Reasons Why You Need To Visit Your Dentist Regularly
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Regular dental check-ups are covered by even the most basic dental insurance plans. Yet, few consider visiting the dentist regularly. Perhaps, Americans do not concern their oral health as much as their overall general health.
A survey conducted by the ADA in 2018 reveals that only 58% of Americans visit dentists at least once a year. This is a frightening figure considering that only a little less than half of the nation does not visit the dentist even once a year. If you’re wondering what’s frightening about it, the following 6 reasons why you must visit a dentist regularly will help you know.
1. Cavities and decay
It’s the most common type of oral disease. According to NIDCR,
92% of adults (20 to 64) have had dental caries in their permanent teeth.
Cavities start with plaque. Plaque hardens to form tartar, which causes cavities and tooth decay. Regular visits to the dentist help in getting rid of the plaque before it transforms into tartar, thereby preventing tooth decay and cavities.
2. Gum diseases
Plaque is not only responsible for tooth decay and cavities. It’s also responsible for gum diseases. When bacteria have been left untreated in the mouth for too long, it forms plaque and gradually, it infects the gums, causing them to pull away from the teeth. Eventually, the tissues that anchor the teeth to the gums start to disintegrate.
Thus, it has many stages and a regular dental check-up is necessary to ensure that gum diseases can be prevented while they’re still in their early stages. Believe it or not, gum diseases are even related to heart attacks.
3. Oral cancer
Although oral cancer is the most difficult to detect in its early stages, certain abnormalities do occur that can only be detected under the dentist’s mirror. As per Oral Cancer Foundation,
Close to 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 9,750 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day. Of those 53,000 newly diagnosed individuals, only slightly more than half will be alive in 5 years.
Staying under check regularly helps in detecting the symptoms and curing it while it still can be cured.
4. Underlying complications
There’s always something going on under your gumline that you’re never aware of. This is why regular dental check-ups involve X-Rays and are even covered by the most basic dental insurance plans. That’s how important X-Rays are in determining any underlying disease in your mouth.
Furthermore, a regular visit to the dentist also keeps your dental aesthetics in check and even cures minor issues like bad breath to boost your self-confidence. So why would you rather smile half-heartedly when your dental insurance assures you a full-fledged one? In Cypress, TX, you can get the best general dentist for you in just a single click!
