Top 3 Reasons To See Your Dentist Regularly

Good oral health is essential to good overall health. In fact, poor oral health is linked to numerous chronic, severe health conditions including cardiovascular disease and systemic illnesses. Here are the top 3 reasons why seeing your dentist regularly can help you to improve and then maintain excellent oral health.

1. Regular Dental Appointments Focus on Prevention

There’s an old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This couldn’t be more applicable to your oral health. Your regular dental appointment will include a comprehensive oral exam and a dental cleaning. During the exam, your dentist will be looking for any signs of decay, disease, and infection within the mouth. During the cleaning, plaque responsible for nearly all oral health problems will be removed.  

Early detection is essential to prevent complications later. For example, your dentist may diagnose a small, burgeoning cavity during an appointment that can be filled before it spreads, causing pain, or an infection.  An unusual change in the soft tissues of the mouth may be a warning sign of oral cancer which when diagnosed early can prevent it from spreading. 

When it comes to protecting your oral health and your overall health there is no substitute for regular preventive care.

2. Regular Dental Care Helps You Maintain a Beautiful Smile

Even patients who practice excellent oral hygiene need help keeping their teeth looking their best. Unfortunately, even with your best efforts, plaque and bacteria build up between the teeth. Without professional cleaning, this plaque and bacteria can lead to tooth decay and tooth discoloration.

Moreover, regular dental care can keep your teeth looking their brightest, thanks to stronger cleaning tools that remove more of the surface stains than brushing alone. 

3. Regular Dental Care Helps You Keep Your Teeth

Tooth loss is widespread in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control, by the time people reach the age of 65, more than 25% will have 8 or fewer teeth. Although tooth loss is higher in patients who suffer from chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, emphysema, heart disease, liver disease, and certain autoimmune conditions, the leading cause of tooth loss is a severe form of gum disease called periodontal disease. 

Nearly half of adults in the U.S. over 30 years old have some form of gum disease. Without treatment such as scaling and root planing, gum disease will worsen, causing the bone in the jaw to deteriorate, and the gums to pull away from the teeth.  Fortunately, with regular dental visits, your dentist will be able to diagnose gum disease and design a treatment plan for getting your oral health back on track. 

Frequently Asked Questions

I am afraid of going to the dentist, what should I do?

Millions of people in the U.S. experience fear or anxiety about dental care. At Metropolitan Dental Care, we work hard to create a welcoming, non-judgemental space for patients to receive essential oral health treatments. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is available for relaxation during your treatment.

Do you offer evening appointments?

Yes. We know how busy New Yorkers are, and we offer appointments until 7 pm on Monday and Thursday to accommodate work schedules. 

Schedule a Holistic Dental Appointment in Midtown Manhattan

Metropolitan Dental Care is a top-rated NYC dental practice providing holistic and integrative dentistry in Midtown Manhattan. If it's been six months or longer since your last dental appointment, schedule an exam and cleaning today by calling 212-867-4223 or book your appointment online.