How Important a Dental Check-up is to Your Overall Health in Silver Spring, MD

Maintaining good oral health by frequently brushing and flossing and regularly scheduling a dental check-up in Silver Spring, MD at least every six months is imperative to your overall health. Oral health affects both the physical and psychological well-being of people. Oral health influences your appearance and how well you chew food and speak.

Missing teeth and gum disease can lead to being embarrassed when smiling and can cause bad breath, both which can impact your self-confidence and self-esteem. Your mouth carries bacteria that grows without the proper oral hygiene of brushing and flossing along with a dental check-up by your local dentist in Silver Spring, MD.

Neglecting daily oral hygiene and failing to go for your six-month dental check-up and dental cleanings allows bacteria in your mouth to grow and get out of balance causing infections such as tooth decay and gum disease, known as periodontitis.

During a typical dental check-up, your dentist will check for tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems. You will also receive a professional cleaning by your dental hygienist. This cleaning will remove any plaque and bacteria that you have missed during your home oral hygiene regimen. The dental hygienist will also properly floss your teeth and may give you suggestions on proper teeth and gum care.

A special tool will be used to measure the space between your teeth to see if they are healthy. The spaces should be shallow; if deep, this means you have gum disease. Your check-up will also include the examination of your tongue, neck, face, and throat to check for signs of ulcers, swelling or cancer.

Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss for adults over the age of 30 years old. By getting into the habit of good oral hygiene at home along with your regular dental check-ups by your dentist in Silver Spring, MD can reduce gum disease and tooth loss.

The University of California at Berkeley conducted a study and found that women who have their regular dental check-ups have a 33 percent lower risk of heart disease. Aetna also did a study that showed both men and women that had regular dental check-ups had lower overall health care costs because many diseases were detected early at their dental check-ups. Dentists look for early signs of vitamin deficiencies, oral cancer, and diabetes during your regular dental check-ups.

Proper oral hygiene at home and regular dental check-ups in Silver Spring, MD are important and will benefit your oral health as well as your overall health.