What are the most important dental services?
The answer to this differs depending on your situation. For example, if you need dental surgery for a cracked tooth, or are experiencing tooth pain…well that is most important for your immediate needs.
But if you’re wondering which dental services have the greatest impact on your oral health or overall health, hands down it’s making sure you schedule regular dental exams and dental cleanings.
Why Regular Dental Exams are So Critical
Regular dental exams help your dentist find and fix issues before they become problems. Sometimes before they become more challenging and expensive to treat! And not just problems with your teeth. It’s been recognized for some time that problems with your overall health can be recognized – or even start with – problems with your oral health.
Gum Disease and your Heart Health
When your dentist is performing a dental exam, one of the things they check for is gum disease, or periodontitis.
Gum disease can present when plaque adheres to your teeth at or below the gumline. The good news is that plaque can be removed by proper flossing and brushing. See our blog Good Flossing and Brushing Habits to learn more.
But the reality is that many of us don’t floss every day, or brush our teeth as thoroughly as needed to remove plaque. Regular dental cleanings at your family dentist office can help remove plaque below the gumline.
If plaque isn’t removed, it hardens into tartar – a hard substance that sticks to your teeth. Tartar promotes bacterial infection. If it’s at or below your gum line, that can cause gum disease.
Gum Disease and Heart Health
There is a strong link between gum disease and cardiovascular health. Although the exact link between isn’t fully understood, studies have shown:
- Gum disease is associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease.
- Poor dental health increases the risk of a bacterial infection in the bloodstream, which can affect the heart valves.
- Tooth loss patterns are connected to coronary artery disease.
Source: Mayo Clinic.
Regular Dental Cleanings and Dental Exams – the Most Important Dental Services
Regular dental cleanings with a dental hygienist helps remove the plaque under the gumline to help prevent inflammation and gum disease.
Regular dental exams help your dentist spot signs of gum disease early, as well as identify other issues that may be affecting your dental health and overall health. Although it may seem like your dentist is simply checking if your teeth are clean after the dental hygienist has finished their work, in reality, they are doing so much more. Your dentist is looking for:
- damaged, decayed, and missing teeth, or early signs of cavities
- inflammation, bleeding on your gums, tongue, or roof of your mouth, plus signs of gum disease
- any problems with your dental work (i.e., root canals, fillings and crowns)
- signs of mouth or throat cancer, like lesions, blocked salivary glands or cysts
- crowded teeth or gaps between your teeth that may be causing problems with chewing and eating
- Signs of teeth grinding, tightness in the jaw, and the condition of the bones in your face and jaw – problems in these areas can contribute to headaches or migraines.
Talk to your Dentist about Your Overall Health
The more your dentist knows about your overall health, the more effectively they can address your oral health care needs, and look out for wider health problems.
During your initial visit to the dentist, you will be asked to provide a short medical history. With subsequent visits, make sure you mention any new medical conditions or symptoms. You’ll be surprised how certain medications or conditions affect your teeth – or vice-versa.
Trust Midland Bay Dental – For All Your Important Dental Services
From dental cleanings and dental exams to teeth whitening, cavity fillings and crowns, you can trust Dr. Ranny Sidhu and the team at Midland Bay Dental to take care of you. Your teeth change with age and medical conditions, so make sure you visit regularly to take care of your teeth and gums. We’re ready for your visit – book your appointment today!
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Resources:
Mayo Clinic: Will taking care of my teeth help prevent heart disease?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475
Canadian Dental Association: Gum Disease
https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/talk/complications/diseases/gum_diseases.asp