Kingston TN
Proper dental care is important for a number of reasons. One of these is easy to see: the smile. Making sure that teeth are clean, cared for, and properly aligned will result in a smile that is straight and white. Furthermore, excellent dental care can help ward off the appearance of wrinkles, which tend to come far more quickly in people who have neglected their teeth.
Proper dental care can prevent a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria is a main cause of tooth discoloration, so controlling it helps keep teeth white. Ridding the mouth of bacteria will also remove a primary cause of bad breath.
Proper dental care helps maintain people’s attractiveness, keeps their breath fresh and helps them feel confident. On the other hand, poorly maintained teeth can lead to cavities (which can make teeth sensitive to hot, cold, and sugar) and inflamed gums. Moreover, teeth that are not properly aligned can ache and cause headaches and teeth grinding, which can lead to tongue thrust and so-called “burning tongue” syndrome. They might also compel a sufferer to avoid certain kinds of foods that, because of bad or misaligned teeth, might be too painful to eat.
All of these are good reasons to keep up with dental care. There are, however, even better reasons: vigilance in keeping healthy teeth and gums can also ward off health conditions that can be dire, even fatal. What are some of these conditions?
Poor jaw health
Keeping the mouth free from bacteria buildup can prevent staining, cavities, bad breath and gum disease. Advanced gum disease can equate to pain and tooth loss. Periodontal disease can also spread to the jaw and cause bone resorption, where the bone of a jaw disintegrates. Thus, looking after the teeth can also help maintain the jaw’s strength.
Speaking of the jaw: poorly maintained teeth can lead to tooth loss, which can cause the remaining teeth to shift out of alignment to make up for the gap from the lost tooth. Badly aligned teeth – whatever the cause – can lead to bruxism (teeth grinding) and interference with the proper function of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). These joints (one on each side of the jaw) connect the lower jaw to the skull, allowing the mouth to open and close. Discomfort with the TMJ can make chewing, drinking, swallowing, speaking, singing, or even yawning very painful.
Proper dental care can preserve the integrity of the jaw and can keep the TMJ in good shape.
Chronic illness
Bad breath, sore teeth, a stained smile, and a weakened, hurting jaw are embarrassing or painful but not life-threatening. Other issues connected to dental care, however, can be.
Seriously advanced cases of bad teeth can lead to pain that limits a person’s diet, threatening the intake of vitamins and minerals and potentially leading to malnutrition. Hair loss, weakness, muscle loss, and even death can result. Proper dental care can protect against all of this.
Over the last thirty years, studies have shown that the buildup of bacteria in the mouth can have other consequences. Bacterial buildup can make pneumonia much worse. In pregnant women, bacteria have been shown to contribute to premature birth and low birth weight.
In the last five years, studies have shown that periodontal disease can make non-oral illnesses more virulent. Periodontal disease interacts with the pancreas and liver in a way that increases the risk for diabetes, for example. Tooth loss can enhance the threat of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, and bacterial buildup can increase the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Given the dreadful nature of these conditions, preventing them with excellent dental care only makes sense, especially considering the other benefits of quality care.
The advantages of good dental care
Proper dental care can contribute to a person’s quality of life and can even help prolong it. Maintaining good dental health and addressing any issues with it is, therefore, an excellent idea. Regular visits to a dentist will help ensure that a person can keep or restore their dental health.
General Dentistry in Kingston, TN
If you have questions about general dentistry or want to schedule a consultation, call LakeView Dental Arts at (865) 376-9687, or request an appointment online.
