Most people know about the importance of eating a balanced diet and getting exercise as a part of their general health routine. But less people may be aware of the importance of regular teeth cleaning to their overall health. In fact, recent studies have shown that there’s an increasing number of adults who do not brush their teeth even once a day because they believe their healthy teeth will last forever. Satsuma Family Dental does not want to burst anyone’s bubble, but this thinking may not be the wisest.
The most important reason for regular teeth cleaning is that it allows dental professionals – either the dentist, the dental hygienist, or both – the opportunity to screen for oral cancer. Why is this so important? Oral cancer is very difficult to detect by anyone other than a trained professional who is specifically looking for the condition. This means that without regular dental exams and regular teeth cleaning, oral cancer could be present in your mouth without your knowledge. And since early detection is so critically important in fighting any cancer battle, it becomes easier to see why routine dental exams in Satsuma such as those provided at Satsuma Family Dental are so critical to your health.
Without professional teeth cleaning, you are at a much higher risk of developing gum disease – also known as gingivitis. And once that disease presents itself, you’ll experience swollen and bleeding gums which lead to infection that culminates in bone and tooth loss. Periodontal disease is not something to be taken lightly. Right now, there are over 65 million adults who suffer from the painful condition. As with oral cancer, early detection of gum disease is the best line of offense. If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease, your treatment plan will depend on the stage of the disease. But again, the best prevention is to schedule regular teeth cleaning in advance of the problem.
Has it been more than six months since your last professional teeth cleaning? If so, and especially if you’re noticing signs of early gum disease like bleeding gums, we encourage you to make an appointment today with Satsuma Family Dental to get back in control of your overall health in Satsuma.