Importance of Preventive Care
When tough economic times hit, people tend to put off preventive care, such as routine dental check-ups and cleanings.
What people fail to realize is that check-ups and cleanings can detect problems before they become painful and often expensive to fix.
People sometimes erroneously believe that if their teeth aren't hurting or they aren't experiencing some sort of problem, they can put off check-ups and cleanings when money is tight.
That thought process actually could cost them more in the long run.
For example, a dental hygienist might discover a small fracture in a tooth while cleaning a patient's teeth.
If caught early enough, a small filling could correct this problem.
But if the patient had waited until the fracture became a larger crack or a piece of the tooth broke off, fixing that would cost considerably more.
There is a great deal of truth to the saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Dental Check-ups Most people need to have their teeth cleaned every six months.
Patients with periodontal disease may require more frequent cleanings of three to four times per year.
In addition to teeth cleanings, patients should be seen by their dentist at least twice per year.
A dental check-up involves the following: o Dental X-rays are taken of the patient's mouth.
o The dentist conducts a visual exam of the teeth and gums using a small mirror.
o A probe is used to press against the surfaces of the teeth and search for "tacky" spots, which can indicate tooth decay.
o The dentist may also use a tiny camera to take close-up photos of the teeth to be displayed on a screen in the operatory.
Oral Health and Overall Health Preventive dental care is about more than just having a bright, white smile.
When it comes to overall health, oral health serves as a sort of window into the body because what goes on in the mouth can be indicative of other health problems.
One of the main reasons for dental check-ups and routine cleanings is to remove tartar and plaque from the teeth and gums.
Plaque build-up can lead to periodontal disease and unhealthy gums that harbor bacteria.
Bacteria then can enter the bloodstream and lead to even more serious diseases, such as heart disease.
Osteoporosis often is first detected through a dental check-up, because the first stages of bone loss sometimes are evident in the teeth.
It is important for patients with diabetes to maintain regular dental check-ups because poor dental health can make diabetes harder to treat and maintain.
Because research continues to prove that there is a correlation between dental health and overall health, it is important to maintain routine dental check-ups, even when patients aren't having any problems.
In these tough economic times, it's important to remember that catching dental problems early can save money in the long run.
If you think you can't afford a routine exam and teeth cleaning now, wait until you need a crown or root canal.
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What people fail to realize is that check-ups and cleanings can detect problems before they become painful and often expensive to fix.
People sometimes erroneously believe that if their teeth aren't hurting or they aren't experiencing some sort of problem, they can put off check-ups and cleanings when money is tight.
That thought process actually could cost them more in the long run.
For example, a dental hygienist might discover a small fracture in a tooth while cleaning a patient's teeth.
If caught early enough, a small filling could correct this problem.
But if the patient had waited until the fracture became a larger crack or a piece of the tooth broke off, fixing that would cost considerably more.
There is a great deal of truth to the saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Dental Check-ups Most people need to have their teeth cleaned every six months.
Patients with periodontal disease may require more frequent cleanings of three to four times per year.
In addition to teeth cleanings, patients should be seen by their dentist at least twice per year.
A dental check-up involves the following: o Dental X-rays are taken of the patient's mouth.
o The dentist conducts a visual exam of the teeth and gums using a small mirror.
o A probe is used to press against the surfaces of the teeth and search for "tacky" spots, which can indicate tooth decay.
o The dentist may also use a tiny camera to take close-up photos of the teeth to be displayed on a screen in the operatory.
Oral Health and Overall Health Preventive dental care is about more than just having a bright, white smile.
When it comes to overall health, oral health serves as a sort of window into the body because what goes on in the mouth can be indicative of other health problems.
One of the main reasons for dental check-ups and routine cleanings is to remove tartar and plaque from the teeth and gums.
Plaque build-up can lead to periodontal disease and unhealthy gums that harbor bacteria.
Bacteria then can enter the bloodstream and lead to even more serious diseases, such as heart disease.
Osteoporosis often is first detected through a dental check-up, because the first stages of bone loss sometimes are evident in the teeth.
It is important for patients with diabetes to maintain regular dental check-ups because poor dental health can make diabetes harder to treat and maintain.
Because research continues to prove that there is a correlation between dental health and overall health, it is important to maintain routine dental check-ups, even when patients aren't having any problems.
In these tough economic times, it's important to remember that catching dental problems early can save money in the long run.
If you think you can't afford a routine exam and teeth cleaning now, wait until you need a crown or root canal.
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