Why Regular General Dentistry Checkups Are Important for Your Overall Health

You will want to get a general dentistry checkup about every six months. This can keep your teeth and gums healthy. But it can also benefit your overall health. Continue reading to learn why this type of exam is so important for you.

Why choose general dentistry checkups?

The health of the mouth is connected to the health of the rest of the body. Normally, the bacteria from the mouth do not enter the bloodstream. However, when the bacteria are unhealthy, they can more easily enter the rest of the body. Even flossing and brushing with gum disease can allow the microbes to enter. If a patient has insufficient saliva flow, then the normal defenses can be reduced.

When the immune system is healthy, the oral bacteria in the bloodstream do not cause issues. The immune system will remove them and prevent infection. However, some patients have weaker immune systems. If this is the case, it may be because of cancer treatments or a disease.

When this happens, the bacteria can cause an infection in another part of the patient’s body. For example, sometimes the bacteria can stick to the lining of a diseased heart valve. If the bacteria are not removed, then they can cause heart disease or a stroke. Other conditions that are linked to bad mouth bacteria include diabetes and even mental conditions.

When a patient has poorly controlled diabetes, the immune system is often weaker. The patient is at an increased risk of developing gum disease in this case. Patients who have diabetes should have regular general dentistry checkups often. This can impact their overall health for the better in many cases.

What to expect during a dental exam

Patients might be wondering what a general dentistry checkup involves. To begin with, the dentist will clean the patient’s teeth and look for cavities. Then the dentist will also look for signs of gum disease. For example, the patient might have bleeding in the gums.

Bleeding can be a sign of early gum disease. The dentist might evaluate the patient’s risk of having other types of oral health problems. For example, the patient’s medical history can factor into this. The patient’s mouth, face and neck will be checked for abnormalities. Depending on what the exam shows, the patient may need to have other diagnostic procedures.

The dentist will most likely discuss the patient’s oral hygiene and diet. There are some types of lifestyle factors that can affect a patient’s oral health. For example, smoking and eating sugary foods are not recommended. The dentist can also answer any questions that the patient has.

Visit a general dentistry practice today

If it has been a while since your last general dentistry checkup, then consider visiting a dentist today. This is important for your overall health. Many types of health conditions can be spotted during this type of exam. Make an appointment today to improve your health.

Request an appointment here: https://www.gablesexceptionaldentistry.com or call Gables Exceptional Dentistry at (305) 203-4132 for an appointment in our Coral Gables office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.