Top Reasons for Visiting the Dentist

Top Reasons for Visiting the Dentist

You may know that the American Dental Association recommends biannual dental visits, but have you ever been tempted to skip your dental visit? You may think that six-month checkup is more of an inconvenience than a necessity, but it may be far more important than you can imagine.

Regular checkups and professional cleanings certainly play a crucial role in helping to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, and they can keep your teeth looking fresh and clean. However, they can also help prevent certain systemic health conditions that can threaten your overall health. In fact, your oral health can be a significant indicator of vitamin or other deficiencies and may reveal whether you are suffering from bacterial, viral or other overall health conditions.

Dental exams also provide our dentist with a valuable opportunity to perform an oral cancer check. Lesions in your mouth, on your tongue or in your throat can be difficult or even impossible for you to detect on your own, but early detection may be lifesaving.

Skipping dental checkups or professional cleanings may leave you more susceptible to poor oral health, which can spell cardiovascular trouble. Dental plaque and vascular plaque may be two entirely different substances, but the oral bacteria that live in plaque have been implicated in the development of the plaque that can clog your arteries and trigger heart attacks and strokes.

Don't leave your dental health to chance. Contact Dr. Afar, Los Angeles dentist, today to schedule your next dental checkup and professional cleaning.