Why are visits to our dentist in West Byfleet necessary?
It is unfortunate that most patients only consider visiting our dentist in West Byfleet when in pain. At Byfleet Dental, we do far more than just treating dental pain. In fact, our well-experienced dentist in West Byfleet provides dental care that helps to avoid dental emergencies from occurring in the first place.
Patients may not be aware of this, but one of the more significant jobs of dental practitioners is to identify concerning red flags that point to a developing problem. Common dental complaints such as tooth decay and gum disease do not occur overnight. These develop over months while disease-causing bacteria accumulate in the mouth to form sticky deposits of plaque on the surface of teeth.
Having our dentist in West Byfleet carry out teeth and gum checks every six months is the only reliable way to ensure you keep your mouth happy and disease-free.
In this post, we take a look at some of the more forceful arguments why in-clinic dental check-ups are vital to living a healthy life.
The role of dental checkups in promoting overall health
The primary function of the mouth is to feed the body – a role that depends heavily on healthy and strong teeth and gums. Teeth that are in the process of decay cannot sustain masticatory function for long; eventually, these teeth will need to be extracted. When there are not enough teeth to rely on to bite and chew properly, this can put the patient at risk of malnutrition. Without proper nutrition, the body cannot sustain itself or protect itself against illness and disease, and death is the eventual consequence.
Poor oral hygiene is another unwanted dental condition that directly harms the physical body. The lack of proper oral hygiene control leads to the overwhelming presence of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Researchers have found that these disease-causing pathogens can exit the mouth through the bloodstream and end up clogging the blood vessels in the cardiovascular system, triggering potentially fatal conditions, including heart attacks and strokes. Inflammatory lung conditions and various cancers are also on the list of medical conditions linked to these bad oral bacteria.
In addition to protecting physical health, regular oral health checks are also essential for maintaining mental wellbeing. Healthy teeth and gums are the basics for an attractive smile. A pleasant dental appearance helps to improve confidence, which is required to have a happy social life. Smiling benefits mental health in another way too. When the facial muscles used to smile are triggered, a message is sent to the brain to produce more neurotransmitters that create feelings of joy and happiness.
Some patients worry about the cost of visiting the dentist regularly for oral health check-ups. We urge patients to consider the benefits of these appointments and what it would cost to treat major dental problems like tooth extractions.
Not only do serious dental issues cost more to treat, but they also take up more time in the dental chair. Patients would invariably see the dentist more often to treat issues such as gum disease than they would if they just visited for the usual dental check-up.
For a thorough dental check-up with a highly experienced dentist, please get in touch with us at Byfleet Dental.