Growing up, you probably heard most of the adults around you talk about how important it was to visit the dentist regularly. Unfortunately, those adults might not have always been perfectly clear about why it was so important.
What does a dentist do for their patients that makes their services so crucial for good health? Are your teeth really that important to the rest of your body? Here’s what you need to know about the role of oral hygiene in your overall health:
Preventing Pain
Nothing is more uncomfortable than a cavity or a severe toothache. Thankfully, both are preventable with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. If you find that you have a toothache or signs of a cavity, it’s a good idea to visit your dentist and have the tooth examined. They may be able to clean and fill the tooth before the problem spreads or worsens and rid you of that source of your pain.
Keeping Your Mouth and Your Bill of Health Clean
Most people think of dentists as little more than professional tooth cleaners. However, there is much more to the dentist’s chair than that. When you visit the dentist, you are actually preventing the possibility of serious infections and other risks to your overall health.
Poor oral hygiene can lead to infections. These infections can be present in bone, causing major issues for the surrounding tissues. They can also infiltrate the bloodstream, causing the patient to become septic. This can become life-threatening. To prevent this, have your teeth professionally cleaned regularly and see your dentist for an annual checkup.
If it’s been more than a year since you last saw your Steveston dentist, give them a call today. Make an appointment and get caught up on your oral hygiene – before the rest of your health pays the price!
