Dentists: Facts You Should Know

If you regularly visit the dental office, there are some facts that most dentists want their patients to know, but may not always make clear. By understanding these facts, you will be a better-informed dental patient who is ready to take charge of your oral health.

All dentists do routine screenings for oral cancer, a fact that many do not know. This is part of the reason it is so important to go for your regular checkups. Even if you are not having dental problems, you need this screening to ensure that your mouth, and your entire body, remains healthy. Finding oral cancer before it progresses is the key to curing it before it has a chance to become life threatening.

The foods you eat and the drinks you drink have a direct affect on the health of your mouth. Foods high in acids and sugars feed the bacteria in your mouth that can cause tooth decay and cavities. Acidic foods can also destroy your tooth enamel. Because of this, a healthy diet that is low in sugar and acidic foods will help keep your mouth healthy.

Dentists want their patients to understand that persistent bad breath is often the sign of a dental problem, not just the need for a piece of gum. If you struggle with bad breath and are good at flossing and brushing daily, talk to your dentist. There may be another problem that needs to be diagnosed.

True dental problems will not go away on their own. Some pain in your teeth that is due to non-oral problems, like sinus problems, may go away, but true dental problems will not go away without a visit to the dentist. In fact, dentists want you to know that they will actually get worse. Cavities will grow, enamel decay will spread, and broken teeth will continue to wear down. Waiting to get treatment will usually make these problems more painful and expensive to fix.

We already know that dental checkups screen for important things, like oral cancer, but dental checkups are important for other reasons as well. Having your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year will help ward off dental diseases, cavities, discoloration, and other problems. Skipping your dental checkup to save a little time and money can mean more time and money spent on your teeth down the road, so think twice before doing so.

Many people have an unexplained fear of dentists. Your dentist probably wants you to know that he is not scary. In fact, options like sedation dentistry and even hypnosis make going to the dentist far less stressful today than ever before. If you are feeling fearful, talk to your dentist about options available to help make your trip to his office as relaxing as possible. It’s far better to face your fears and take charge of your health than to let fear keep you from learning of potentially deadly problems lurking in your mouth.