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Oral Health = Overall Health

a dental patient smiling in a mirrorRemember love at first at sight? For more than 60% of Americans, it’s love at first smile– but the confidence of an amazing smile cannot be achieved without proper dental hygiene.

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy goes a bit further than just brushing and flossing. Regular visits to the dentist for oral check-ups ensure that your teeth are healthy and boost your overall well being.
Long gone are the days when dentists primarily focused on fixing problems rather than preventing them. Modern dentistry heavily focuses on preventative dental care and regular cleanings.

It may be tempting to neglect your oral healthcare because of your busy life or the novel coronavirus, but keeping your teeth and gums healthy will save you money in the long run. According to the CDC, dental-related diseases cost taxpayers billions of dollars annually, impacting both physical and mental health.

The American Dental Association recommends visiting the dentist twice every year unless recommended otherwise by your dentist. However, the exceptions to this general rule of thumb where it’s recommended they visit more often, include pregnant women, smokers, diabetics, and people with lower bacterial immunity or periodontal disease.

If you are not yet convinced that your oral healthcare is equal to your overall wellbeing, here are some important benefits you will reap by regularly sitting on the dentist’s chair.

1. Early Detection of Dental Problems

a dentist reviewing x-rays with a patient

Some teeth problems are hard to spot until they become worse. This is because many dental issues such as cavities, gum diseases, and oral cancer aren’t visible until the late stages.

Did you know that tooth decay grows 24/7? It starts from inside the tooth enamel and grows outwards. Cavities typically don’t hurt, so by the time there is discomfort, the decay has progressed into the nerve and past the point of return. Which means a root canal or an extraction is the next step. 

Even though you may not feel a cavity, or be able to tell you have the beginning stages of gum disease, these can’t slide under the scrutiny of a trained eye. During your routine check-up, your dentist will ensure that they carry out a comprehensive check which includes:

  • Check for cavities- Cavities are not painful but can become extremely painful and cause serious health threats if left unchecked. Early detection of cavities saves you a lot of pain and problems in the future. This is because when a cavity spreads, it leads to tooth decay, which brings about infection. The infection then may spread to the root and finally to the main bloodstream.
  • Check for plaque and tartar accumulation- If plaque is left unattended for long, it forms tartar, which is impossible to remove even after brushing and extensive flossing- and can lead to gum diseases and cavities. Your dentist will help you clean the hard-to-reach areas using special tools.
  • Examine your gums- According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, more than 50% of Americans suffer from gum diseases. That gives you a hint on the weight of the matter. The gums provide a clue to your overall health, and your dentist will look for deep spaces in between your teeth, which could indicate gum diseases or periodontitis.

2. Great Teeth Boosts Your Self-Esteem

Smiling is an integral part of human life. It goes a long way in providing the first impression as you interact with other people. A regular dental visit will not only keep your teeth healthy but also play an important role in boosting your confidence.

The American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics reports that people with better smiles are perceived to be smarter than people with visible dental problems.

3. Lowers Your Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases

Gum disease (periodontitis) is associated with an increased risk of contracting heart disease. This is because it increases the chances of bacterial infection in the bloodstream, affecting the heart valves bringing about cardiovascular problems.

Regular dental visits lower your chances of having such a dangerous infection.

4. Prevents Bad Breath

There are a few things worse than talking with someone with a stinking mouth. Bad breath (halitosis) is caused by poor oral hygiene, gum disease, or food particles deep-seated in the hard-to-reach places. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings are the easiest and best way to prevent this problem.

5. Avoiding Teeth Loss

Recent studies have shown the importance of teeth in improving your appearance and overall self-esteem. You will find that preventative dentistry is less costly in the long run.

A thorough cleaning during your periodic visits to your dentist and a healthy habit of brushing and flossing will go a long way in keeping your teeth healthy while saving you money.

6. Maintaining Your Overall Well-being

It is impossible to overlook the importance of oral health when talking about your overall health. This is because the two are directly linked.

Visiting the Dentist Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic

a dentist operating on a patient

Due to the novel Coronavirus pandemic, some people may be concerned about visiting the dentist.

At Klement Family Dental, we understand our patients’ concerns and worries and have, therefore, put stringent measures to ensure that neither our esteemed patients nor our staff’s health is compromised during the visits. Here are some of the measures that we’ve taken :

  • After arrival, we kindly ask you to stay in your car.
  • One of our team members will meet you at your car and take your temperature.
  • We have limited a lot of physical contact, and our clients will be utilizing a new mobile check-in system that will be completed on your mobile device before your appointment.
  • All our patients and visitors will be expected to wear face masks upon entering the building.
  • One of our team members will escort you in and out of the building before and after your appointment.
  • All our staff will be wearing more protective equipment. 
  • Our team will use a pre-treatment oral rinse before any exam or treatment.
  • Continuous disinfection both before and after we see you.

We are asking patients who have booked an appointment and feel that they’re not in a position to visit us on the given date, to kindly call at least 2 business days prior to your appointment, or as soon as possible to reschedule, and pave the way for someone on the waitlist. 

Schedule Your Dentist Visit Today

We are conveniently located at two locations in St. Petersburg and would love to see you and your family. Feel free to schedule a dental check-up today, or contact us and we can provide even more information about the importance of continuing your routine dental visits.

Old Northeast:

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St Pete:

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