Like most individuals, our desire is to be proactive with our family’s health. To accomplish this, we stay active, eat healthy and have regular check-ups along with periodic screenings. It simply makes sense to be committed to preventing problems or catch any that do arise at early stages.
Research has shown that your oral health deserves the same commitment you give to maintaining a healthy body. Studies have found links between the bacteria of periodontal (gum) disease and serious problems elsewhere in the body. These include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, preterm babies, impotency and more.
Another reason to maintain a healthy smile is to save money. Yes, by devoting mere minutes a day to your oral hygiene and having dental exams and cleanings every six months, you can prevent many problems from occurring in the first place, saving both time and expense for repairs.
Your twice-a-year dental check-ups are opportunities to remove calculus. Calculus (or ‘tartar’), a hardened form of oral bacteria, is the result of plaque that is not removed thoroughly from the mouth each day. Once plaque forms into calculus, it attaches to teeth and can no longer be brushed or flossed away.
Oral bacteria thrive and reproduce in your mouth by eating away at gum tissues. Because they reproduce rapidly, they can easily go from gingivitis (an early stage of gum disease) to periodontal disease, an infection. While gingivitis causes tender gums to bleed when brushing, periodontal disease symptoms are more severe, including persistent bad breath, sore gums that bleed easily, gums that darken in color, receded gums, and pus pockets that form between teeth.
Gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the U.S. However, the potent bacteria can become bloodborne through tears in disease gum tissues, causing problems elsewhere in the body. The bacteria of periodontal disease has been shown to trigger inflammatory reactions that are the origins of the major health problems mentioned prior. And, as research continues, more and more problems are being connected to oral bacteria from gum disease.
Obviously, oral bacteria is highly potent. However, it’s easy to control with twice daily brushing and daily flossing combined with regular dental checkups. For added protection, limit sugary snacks and either swish after eating or chew sugarless gum when brushing is inconvenient. Not only will you help to reduce your risk for cavities and gum problems, you’ll be able to enjoy fresher breath and smiling confidence.
Think about the savings you’ll experience when you don’t need cavities repaired and can avoid gum therapy required to remove deeply-embedded oral bacteria. Begin with a thorough examination and cleaning. This will help to give your mouth a clean slate that will be easy to maintain at home between visits.
To schedule, call 1-866-9-Smiles. We look forward to helping you save money!
