Hi, it's Mia Armonde here to talk to you about family dentistry. As my small family grew into a large one, I found myself at the dental office on a regular basis. Every six months, the kids would go into the dentist for a cleaning or repairs to their teeth. During that time, I took an interest in the various ways the dental tools were evolving. Tools used in the dental industry have grown in leaps and bounds in the last few decades. For example, my kids went from hearing the dental drill to wearing headphones that completely canceled out the sound. Each time we go back into the dentist, I take a close look at the improvements that have arisen since the last visit. The results are astounding. I will cover my findings on this site, so you can also enjoy the improvements to dental tools and techniques.
Although for many years the American Dental Association recommended that all healthy adults should see the dentist twice a year for an exam and professional cleaning, in 2013 their recommendations changed. Since then, the determination as to how often a patient should receive those services has been determined by the dentist, based on the dentist's perception of the degree of risk that the patient has for dental problems. While that will generally still be at least once a year and some patients should be seen three times a year, a recent study determined that more than one out of three adults between the ages of eighteen and sixty-four never saw a dentist at all in 2014. Therefore, if you are overdue for a dental appointment or you cannot remember the last time you had a comprehensive dental exam, you might be pleasantly surprised to discover the following details about your oral health at that exam.
The Dentist May Be Able To Determine Any Nutritional Deficiencies You Might Have
Even though you might expect for your dentist to notice if you floss as often as you should or that you have an intense love for sugary, carbonated soda, you might not know that he or she will also be able to tell that you do not get enough calcium in your diet because you have soft, loose teeth. In addition, a vitamin B2 shortage might announce itself with red, shiny lips and a sore tongue.
A smooth tongue is often associated with inadequate B6, as is a mouth that seems sore or burning. Regardless of what your dietary shortcomings are, your dentist will frequently be able to diagnose them at your next comprehensive dental exam.
The Dentist Can Frequently Find Early Issues With Previous Dental Work Before You Do
One of the more common misconceptions that people have about their dental work is that when something goes wrong with a filling, crown or other restoration, they will be the first person to know about it. The truth is that if you have regular dental care or even if you simply see the dentist annually for your comprehensive exam, that damage can frequently be seen by your dentist before you notice it. Unfortunately, if a problem progresses to the point where you notice it, it's often significant enough to represent a significant expense and could be painful or embarrassing.
For instance, if your filling is starting to wear down, it may be possible to repair the damage in a quick visit. If it is permitted to fall out before being noticed, the entire filling needs to be replaced and you could spend a painful weekend waiting for an emergency appointment with your dentist. In addition, while a detached crown might not hurt since a root canal is commonly associated with its initial use, you might be embarrassed to walk around for a day or two with a hole in a tooth until you can have the damage repaired.
In conclusion, everyone needs to see a dentist like Bewick Keary DDS to maintain good oral health and by extension, good overall health. If it has been too long since you received a comprehensive dental exam, it's a good idea to schedule that visit immediately to be evaluated for the above concerns.
Share
4 May 2017
