Having excellent dental health is an important element of your overall well-being. Aside from maintaining a beautiful smile, proper dental care is fundamental in preventing diseases of the mouth and even some diseases of the body. Having regular visits to your trusted general dentistry practice is the key to making sure you are staying on the right track.
3 Reasons to Focus on Your Dental Health
1. Helps to Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection caused by plaque, which is a sticky, colorless bacteria that forms on the teeth. This plaque causes your gums to pull away from your teeth, creating pockets that fill with bacteria and toxins. As the disease gets worse and worse, these pockets grow deeper, and the root of the tooth becomes vulnerable.
Knowing that you have healthy gums is crucial because gum disease can reach an advanced stage of deterioration before you even realize there is a problem. The bone structure of your teeth can weaken, and tooth loss can become the end result. No one wants to lose their teeth.
The most effective way to minimize your risk for gum disease is to remove plaque by brushing and flossing your teeth thoroughly on a daily basis. It is important to get a regular evaluation of your dental health to ensure that your gums are in good shape. Getting professional dental cleaning is also essential so that that tartar can be removed from your teeth.
Warning signs of gum disease include red, swollen, or tender gums, persistent bad breath, bleeding while flossing or brushing, gums that pull away from teeth, and loose or separating teeth.
2. Promotes Overall Health
Having a healthy mouth is essential for having a healthy body. Using tobacco, consuming alcohol excessively, and eating an unhealthy diet can cause your teeth to degrade over time. This can result in your health in general being at risk. When you have poor dental health, the following risk factors may be experienced as a result:
- Cardiovascular disease – Clogged arteries, heart disease, and stroke may be linked to the infections and inflammation caused by oral bacteria.
- Birth complications in pregnancy – Premature birth and low birth weight have been linked to gum disease.
- Pneumonia – This infection may be caused by certain bacteria in your mouth that are pulled into your lungs.
- Weakened immune system – Having poor dental health makes your body more vulnerable to developing sicknesses and disease.
3. Enhances and Preserves Your Cosmetic Appearance
When we improve the way we look, it allows us to go through life with more confidence. Receiving cosmetic dental care is often seen as something superficial or unnecessary, as it is something that makes us look more aesthetically pleasing. However, the truth is that these types of cosmetic procedures can do so much more than that. When you are pleased with your smile, you become more motivated to take proper care of your teeth, which benefits your overall oral health.
Whitening discolored teeth is one of the most common cosmetic services. After a proper dental cleaning, professional whitening treatments with your dentist have the ability to lift off stains from the enamel and make your smile bright and noticeable. Get your teeth whitened professionally, and you are likely to smile more often.
Improve Your Dental Health Today at Lovett Dental Gulfgate
Prevention is always a wise road to travel, and particularly so when it comes to dental health. Our experienced general dentistry practice at Lovett Dental Gulfgate will treat you with the utmost care and respect. Contact Lovett Dental Gulfgate today by either calling 713-847-8822 or completing our user-friendly online form to get started on your brighter, healthier smile.