Good oral health care should be a part of your plan for good overall health. Dental health is important for everyone. There are clear benefits to caring for your teeth during every life stage, from childhood through adulthood. Here are some compelling reasons why good dental health matters.
Dental Health Can Affect Physical Health
When we think of our teeth, we think about how our smile looks, but your teeth are a part of your digestive system. Healthy teeth can mean a healthy digestive system. Teeth are the first step in digesting your food.
According to Dr. Lin at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, people with gum disease are twice as likely to have heart disease. There is no certainty as to why gum disease seems to increase the risk of heart disease; it is an accepted fact. There are treatments for gum disease which may reduce the risk of a heart attack.
Dental Problems Are Painful
One of the easiest ways to avoid dental pain is to care for your dental health. According to the North American Dental Group, about 54% of Americans reported that they only seek professional dental care in the case of an emergency. However, it’s far better to avoid the pain of dental health issues through preventive care than it is to fix it after the pain has set in.
Preventive care can help to reduce the frequency of dental problems. Did you know that some people have never had a cavity? It is true and proves that regular visits to the dentist and a focused dental hygiene plan at home can really make a difference.
There Is Nothing Like Natural Teeth
There are many ways to restore your teeth once lost, but there is nothing like having your natural teeth. According to the Global Foundation for Oral Rehabilitation, about 69% of adults between 35-44 have lost one or more permanent teeth due to tooth decay, an accident, or gum disease. More than 25% of everyone over 74 has lost their teeth for the same reasons.
Losing your natural teeth is completely avoidable. You can have your teeth from the cradle to the grave with the right dental health care and a commitment to good oral health practices.
You Will Look Better and Feel Better
When you care for your teeth, you look better and feel better. A healthy smile builds confidence. Your overall health can be positively affected by taking care of your teeth at any age. According to the American Academy of Dental Practice, children and teens should visit their pediatric dentist once every six months for dental checkups. Visiting the dentist every six months for an exam, fluoride treatments, and cleanings can prevent cavities. Adults should also visit the dentist every six months.
Age has nothing to do with cavities. As an adult, you are just as prone to painful cavities as children are. The CDC estimates that 50 million educational hours are lost because of tooth disease, and about 43 million work hours are lost because of oral health problems. A recent survey by Allure found that 79% of adults think a healthy smile can help them professionally. The same survey reports that 84% of adults consider a healthy smile attractive. Taking care of your teeth can positively affect other areas of your life, including how you feel.
If it has been a while since you visited the dentist, now is the time to make that appointment. The longer you wait to start dental health care, the worse your health will become. Make an appointment today and start on the path to good dental health.