top of page

The Importance of Oral Health and Preventative Dental Care

Updated: Nov 14, 2022

Have you ever wondered why dental problems occur despite regular brushing and flossing? While regular brushing and flossing are excellent at reducing the risk of dental problems, they cannot prevent them entirely. To protect yourself and your family from dental issues like cavities, gum disease and more, you must visit your dentist regularly for checkups. To maintain optimal oral health, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends regular dental visits, at intervals determined by a dentist (usually at least 2x per year). This article explains why regular dental checkups are essential for maintaining optimal oral health and physical well-being.

The Importance of Oral Health and Preventative Dental Care
The Importance of Oral Health and Preventative Dental Care

Avoiding Bad Breath

Bad breath can be embarrassing, but also signal health problems. According to the American Dental Association, poor oral hygiene, cavities, and periodontal problems are among the most common causes of bad breath. If you suffer from bad breath, you need to visit a dentist. Your dentist will thoroughly check for any problems that may cause bad breath and help you treat the problem as well as prevent worsening conditions.


The Oral Health Systemic Link

Most people believe oral hygiene maintenance is only necessary to maintain healthy teeth. This is not entirely correct. There is a causal link between periodontal disease and other system health concerns. It is widely known that oral hygiene maintenance and regular dental care is also essential for keeping your body healthy. Did you know that your physical health and well-being are directly linked to your oral health? According to the American Dental Association, your mouth is the gateway to your entire body. Anything you eat will first pass through your mouth and then to the digestive system. If the mouth is diseased, harmful bacteria from cavities and inflamed gums can easily travel to the digestive and respiratory systems and cause serious, even life-threatening medical issues.


Further, harmful bacteria can also enter the bloodstream and travel to the vital organs such as the heart and brain and cause severe health conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, and worsening neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and Dementia.


Save your Money on Avoidable Dental Treatments

It is always better to prevent a problem from occurring in the first place, otherwise once a problem develops, time and financial investment become a lot greatly. Visiting Dr. Nick in Hoschton, GA for regular checkups helps you avoid major dental problems like cavities and gum disease. Dentists use specialized equipment `to diagnose dental issues well before they cause any damage. So, by visiting your dentist regularly, you can save yourself a great deal of time and money.


Prevent Orthodontic Problems

Did you know that many orthodontic problems like teeth crowding and spacing can be prevented altogether if they are detected at an early age? This is because most orthodontic issues arise due to parafunctional habits in children like thumb sucking and tongue thrusting. By taking your children and young adults for regular dental checkups you can help identify any underlying orthodontic problems and treat them non-invasively. Additionally, if necessary, it is always better to treat with braces or Invisalign aligners as early as possible. Further, there are also other hereditary causes for tooth misalignment, which can be diagnosed by dentists early in life and treated well before they turn into a larger orthodontic issues.


Oral Cancer Screening

Every time you visit your dentist for a checkup, they will perform also perform an examination of your head and neck. This is done to detect any long-standing, non-healing lesions that may potentially be cancerous. If your dentist suspects any swelling to be cancerous, they will immediately send it for biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. In this way, regular dental visits also help in the early diagnosis of oral cancer, one of the most deadly forms of cancer worldwide. Dentists are typically among the first to diagnose various medical problems, including cancer, during routine checkups.


Maintaining a Beautiful Smile

Your smile is often the first thing that people notice. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, people with pearly white teeth and beautiful smiles are perceived as more friendly and attractive. So, if you want to impress people with your charming smile, you must look after your oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly to avoid any problems that may affect your facial esthetics.


Boost your Confidence

Having perfectly aligned, sparkling white teeth and a fresh, minty breath, goes a long way to boost your self-confidence. Maintaining a healthy smile just requires optimal oral hygiene maintenance through brushing and flossing and regular dental care.


If you’re searching for a friendly and caring dentist in Hotchston, GA, look no more! At Traditions Dental, we offer everything you need in our newly designed office. We encourage regular checkups and preventive dental care so that dental problems like tooth decay, tooth sensitivity, and gum inflammation do not occur--or worsen. So, book an appointment with us today and let us take care of all your dental worries.


If you have any additional questions about your oral hygiene, please feel free to contact us at Traditions Dental. To learn more about Traditions Dental visit our About Us page. For more tips and information feel free to follow us on social media on IG @traditionsdental and Facebook @traditionsdental.

bottom of page