Visit the Dentist for Years of Healthy, Pain-Free Teeth

Taking the whole family to the dentist at least annually for a checkup is an effective modern phenomenon.It wasn’t long ago that humans suffered for years with painfully rotting teeth, or had many of their natural teeth removed.George Washington is famous for his painful teeth and their wooden replacements.Taking your family to the dentist preserves natural teeth much longer, detects oral diseases in the beginning stages and improves overall health.

The miracle of modern dentistry is the ability to detect decay and stop it before it becomes widespread.Once teeth begin to rot, or decay spreads over a large surface area, it is very hard to preserve the tooth. Today’s dentists have digital x-rays, oral cameras and other devices that allow them to inspect every surface of your tooth for danger signs.Careful, regular inspection often means your dentist has been watching a potential problem area for months, or even years, before you even need a filling.As soon as the diagnostics indicate that decay is more than just surface-deep, your dentist will intervene and fill the cavity before it can spread.The doctor will then monitor the area during future visits and ensure the filling remains tight and in good shape.

Optimal oral health means more than just avoiding cavities and promptly taking care of fillings.Your dentist also checks you gums during every visit for signs of disease, recession or swelling.Gum disease can actually lead to tooth decay, so it is important that any problems are addressed and sorted out to prevent additional issues from cropping up.Your tongue, cheeks and the other fleshy surfaces of your oral cavity can be the site of cancer or other problems, and your doctor will use magnification and other tools to perform a visual inspection and check for lumps, sores or other problematic spots.

There is an interesting connection between the health of your mouth and your overall physical condition. Many studies have indicated that problems in your mouth could indicate more serious health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease. The link can usually be traced to bacteria levels in your mouth, so proper oral health care is essential for disease prevention. Annual dental exams can lead to earlier disease detection as well as improved vitality. Your dentist will thoroughly remove any plaque buildup, efficiently eliminating the breeding grounds for these nasty bacteria. For more information about a dentist in Capitola, please visit this website.