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Many people, unfortunately, view dental care as optional or, at the very least, not as important as other healthcare. They put off seeing a dentist even when they’re in pain. Some children go their entire lives without seeing a professional, which can leave them with misaligned teeth and other oral health issues.
But dental care is not optional at all. Your mouth is a vital part of your body, and if you don’t take care of your teeth, gums, lips, tongue, and other parts, you can suffer some major health issues. Most people assume the worst that can happen is that you could lose all of your teeth, but that’s not the worst by far.
Why Dental Care is Vital to Your Health
Losing your teeth slowly as they are eaten away by bacteria will be painful, but the bigger issue is infection. As cavities break down the enamel around your teeth, bacteria get down into the root. From there, they can easily infect your gums, which could also be under attack from gingivitis. Once these bacteria are able to get deep into the gums, they can enter your bloodstream. From there, if the wrong type of bacteria manages to circulate through the body, you can develop blood clots and endocarditis. This life-threatening condition has a mortality rate of around 30 percent.
How to Take Control of Your Oral Care
If you’ve rarely or never been to the dentist, don’t worry—there’s no wrong time to start. You’re never too old for your first appointment. Many people are concerned about pain, but we do our very best to ensure that you are not uncomfortable during any of your appointments. We will also explain everything we do and answer all of your questions before beginning any procedure.
If you’re unsure where to start, simply give us a call and ask about an exam and a cleaning. It’s an excellent place to start, and we can talk about what next steps to take after that appointment.