Have you ever considered why many people avoid seeing the dentist at all, never mind twice a year?
It does not matter that dental visits are vital to dental health and mouth hygiene. People still do not visit the dentist. In the USA, statistics show that up to 49% of people do not visit the dentist.
The answers to the question of why people do not visit the dentist are multifold. One of the primary reasons is financial constraints. Statistics show that up to 44% of American residents do not visit the dentist because they do not have dental insurance, and they cannot afford to pay private dental rates.
Equally importantly, there is a phobia known as dental anxiety. Dental anxiety occurs for a number of reasons. However, the salient point in this context is that people are terrified of the dentist’s chair, irrespective of what the reason is.
The importance of visiting the dentist regularly
It’s important to highlight that as challenging overcoming dental anxiety is, it is vital to get to grips with the excessive fear. The good news is that an experienced, knowledgeable dentist understands the phobia, so it will help patients overcome it. It cannot be used as an excuse not to visit the dentist.
In spite of the validity of the reasons for not paying regular visits to the dentist, it is essential to attempt to find ways to fund your dental treatment or to overcome your dental anxiety.
Why?
Simply stated, and highlighted by North County Dental, dental and oral hygiene is a fundamental part of your overall health and well-being. This statement is also echoed in the quotation mentioned above by James Kunstler. In summary, it is vital to “stay current with the dentist.”
This is not the only reason why you should visit the dentist twice a year. There are other reasons why it is critical to establish a regular dental visitation routine. Here are several of these reasons:
Prevent tooth decay
No matter how well you care for your teeth by brushing and flossing regularly, there is still a possibility of tooth decay. And, if there is not early intervention as a result of regular visits to the dentist, minor issues will turn into significant problems and can ultimately result in tooth loss.
Indicator of disease
The mouth is a good indicator of, and an early-warning system for some types of cancers like oral cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, and osteoporosis. The “why” question is expected under the circumstances. Ergo, a typical question might be: “Why does poor oral hygiene cause pneumonia?” Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
The pertinent point in this context is that viral or bacterial infection causes pneumonia. The human mouth is filled with bacteria, most good but some bad. And, the worse the oral hygiene, the higher the numbers of harmful bacteria which get swallowed and can end up causing infections in the rest of the body.
Prevents periodontal disease
According to WebMD.com, gingivitis or gum disease is defined as the inflammation of the gums due to poor oral hygiene. When plaque builds up on the teeth, it contains bacteria which in turn causes gum inflammation and bleeding.
If this is not treated, gingivitis can advance into periodontitis where the inside layer of the gum and jawbone pull away from the teeth. Finally, this ultimately results in the loss of teeth because they are no longer anchored in place.
Final thoughts
These three reasons noted above provide a strong argument for biannual dental visits. Furthermore, if dental anxiety has overruled the validity of regular dental visits, it is hoped that the reasons provided above are enough of a raison d’etre to resume biannual dental visits in order to ensure proper oral hygiene.
Finally, it is essential to highlight the fact that, while it is challenging to resume a regular oral hygiene routine, the consequences of overcoming the issues far outweigh the negatives of staying away from the dentist.