Regular dental checkups are often associated with looking after your teeth and avoiding cavities or enhancing your beauty through a better smile; however, this too has its scope. In one way or another, dental health connects with one’s overall health status, and neglecting it may lead to the overlooking of other important health aspects.
There are some conditions, for example, heart disease, diabetes, and others that do manifest themselves through the mouth, hence the importance of dental checkups is not limited to the care of the teeth and gums, but the health itself. The following article thus seeks to explain why routine dental visits are important and not only for stopping cavities from occurring.
What Happens During a Dental Checkup?
Dental checkups are extended scopes of practices which aim to do more than simply assess the presence of cavities on the teeth. Here is what is commonly done in a visit;
Inspections
The dentist examines the teeth for decay or other damage, and the gums for signs of gum disease. The gums are important to oral wellbeing; they can be associated with diseases of other systems in the body if compromised.
Early Detection of Certain Conditions
Even before adverse symptoms manifest, dentists are capable of detecting anomalies associated with diseases such as oral cancer, vitamin deficiency and certain viral infections. Such conditions can be diagnosed during oral exams, allowing for treatment before damage occurs.
Professional Cleaning and Polishing
Self-cleaning through brushing and flossing at regular intervals are very important, but cleaning through the regular brushing does not help remove the old tartar or excessive plaque deposition. This is important in maintaining a healthy look of the gum and teeth.
Protection against Tooth Decay
To assist avert cavities, your teeth may be treated with fluoride solutions or sealants or some other cavity decelerating agents. These procedures are essential in maintaining one’s health inside a dentist’s office.
Oral-Heart Disease Connection
Heart diseases are often associated with several risk factors, however, many individuals overlook the fact that poor oral hygiene can also be a risk factor for such diseases. The relationship between periodontal diseases and the cardiovascular system has been extensively proven in various studies.
Here’s how they are interlinked:
Inflammation
Periodontitis refers to the inflammatory aspect of the infectious disease where the supporting structure of the tooth is inflamed by existing bacteria. These bacteria can also enter the bloodstream and reach the walls lining the blood vessels where they induce inflammation. This leads to the development of heart disease associated risk factors like blocking or infecting the heart.
Incidence of Heart Diseases
Individuals with gum-related problems have higher chances of developing heart diseases due to the presence of bacteria in the mouth which find their way to the heart valves and cause infections or worsen underlying heart conditions.
Therefore, it is advisable to practice proper oral hygiene and see a dentist regularly in order to mitigate the occurrence of such concerns.
Also Read: Top Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Heart: Simple Steps to Boost Heart Health
Oral Health and Diabetes
Another vital connection concerns the relationship between oral health and diabetes. Diabetics are more prone to infections and inflammation, especially of the gums hence they will have gum disease. Unfortunately, if left untreated, gum diseases may also aggravate the management of diabetes:
Deteriorating Diabetes
Management of diabetes is hampered by the effect of poorly controlled Gum tenitis on the blood sugar levels. The situation is even worse due to the fact that the individual will not be able to autogenously combat bacterial invasion, therefore, will develop more of oral infection.
Systemic Disease Link
The relationship between diabetes and oral health status; once again highlights the need for proper dental hygiene practices in the control of systemic diseases.
For the diabetic patients, the routines of visiting the dental clinic are not only bounded to the maintenance of the structure of their teeth and gums but it helps in the control of their diabetes and avert life threatening situations
Health Conditions Linked to Poor Oral Health
Oral hygiene goes beyond just cleaning your teeth and gums. It has been associated with a range of systemic health concerns, such as the ones described below:
Respiratory Infections
Conditions like pneumonia develop when bacteria from the mouth are aspirated into the lungs, or already present chronic respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) can be aggravated.
Pregnancy Complications
Women with gum diseases stand higher chances of developing problems associated with pregnancies such as giving preterm births or low weight babies.Â
Therefore, preventing oral health diseases during daunting course of treatment is crucial for the pregnant woman and her fetus.Â
Here is an infographic on Dental Strategies for Pregnant Women
Osteoporosis
 Osteoporosis is related to oral health in the sense that if there is any bone loss, the jaw and teeth may get undermined thereby resulting in the loss of a few teeth. Bone density may also be seen by the dentist when a patient undergoes a dental check up.
These associations increase the understanding of the reasons why it is necessary to practice good dental care. Not only do they preserve the aesthetics of the mouth, they also promote people’s health.
Role of Regular Dental Checkups in Early Detection
The early detection of health problems is perhaps one of the most important advantages of preventive care such as dental checkups. It is not uncommon for a dentist to see warning signs of more serious problems even when the physician has not made a diagnosis yet.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Oral health care practitioners may notice gum disease symptoms in diabetic patients, which may not seem directly related to their oral cavity.
This behavioural aspect is also preventive as the periodontist in this instance has an opportunity to assist with diabetes management.
Oral Cancer Detection
Checkups can also include cancer screenings in addition to regular visits with the dentist. Early detection of oral cancers increases their chances of being cured and is, hence, the reason why these examinations are even done if they are not for aesthetics.
Heart Disease Indicators
Some of the mouth diseases associated with heart disease, such as gum swelling, and the use of teeth in non masticating procedures cause damage to the tissues in the mouth. Recognizing these classical dyspeptic signs early makes it possible to institute other investigations and treatments avoiding worse complications such as stroke.Â
When you receive regular dental checkups, these health problems can also be identified at an earlier stage, helping to combat the progression of the disease.
Also Read: Weight Management Supplements: What You Need to Know
Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Health Between Checkups
Good oral health is not only limited to what goes on in the dental clinic. The things that you do on a daily basis contribute a lot to the health of your mouth. Below are some insightful tips on how to enhance your oral health between visits:
1. Brush Twice Daily
Apply fluoridated toothpaste and scrub your teeth for more than two minutes every morning and every night. This action helps to clean out the food and plaque deposits.
2. Floss Daily
It is healthy to use dental floss on a regular basis. A dental floss reaches nooks and crannies between the teeth which a toothbrush does not. This helps get rid of cavities and other dental diseases.
3. Use Mouthwash
Antibacterial mouth rinse lessens the debris buildup, helps keep breath pleasant, and helps hygiene by getting rid of the unnecessary microorganisms inside the mouth.
4. Limit Sugary Foods
Food that is high in sugars and acids wears down the teeth. Avoiding such food helps in conservation of the teeth.
5. Stay Hydrated
Ensuring that one drinks enough water in a day assists in getting rid of any edible matter in the mouth and also keeps moisture in the mouth which helps in healthy oral care practices.Â
Following these steps, as part of daily activities would help in ensuring dental health is maintained and also less problems would be experienced in-between dental appointments.
Here is a infographic relate to How to Maintain Dental and Oral Health
ConclusionÂ
In conclusion, the advantages brought by preventive dentistry practices such as regular dental visits, go well beyond the confines of cavity prevention. These appointments are also very important in spotting the early signs of other systemic diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes, and even respiratory tract infections. Such regimes of oral health are basic components in the maintenance of good health and in the treatment of more serious problems that might occur later on.
Also Read: How to Avoid Common Cold and Flu During the Winter Season
