Many patients avoid routine dental visits, often to their own disadvantage. Some people feel that visiting the dentist every 6 months seems like another added chore. What is important to remember is that preventative dental care can help you avoid the need for advanced dental care. Washington, DC dentist Dr. Andrew Cobb encourages patients to visit the dentist at least twice a year to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
Your oral health care may not seem as important as visiting your general physician. The truth is, oral health care can help keep not only your teeth and gums healthy, but it also helps maintain the health of your entire body.
Recent studies suggest that the oral body connection may be even more complex than we once thought. Your oral health has a direct effect on the well-being of your overall health.
Health Concerns Associated with Poor Oral Health
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Inflammation
- Gum Disease
When patients do not visit the dentist regularly, they may not realize they have a developing oral health concern until is has already affected their overall health. Visiting the dentist at least every 6 months is an investment in your healthcare.
Benefits of Life Long Preventive Dentistry
Dental cleanings can more effectively remove plaque and tartar in hard to reach areas of the teeth and gums. Dental cleanings help reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss. During your regularly scheduled tooth cleanings, Dr. Cobb will screen the mouth, neck, and gums for signs of gum disease, oral cancer, and other developing oral health concerns. Biannual dental checkups allow for early diagnosis and conservative dental treatments.
Preventative dental care should begin in early childhood and be continued throughout all stages of oral development. Consistent lifelong dental care can help patients keep their teeth and gums healthy, protecting their systemic health.
Maintain your smile. It is an important part of you – and your overall health! Contact our Washington, DC dentist office or schedule a consultation online.