Avoiding Dental Care During Uncertain Times Can Be More Painful in the Long Run
Many of us are feeling uncertain times ahead. We tend to cut back on spending money by cooking at home versus dining out, delaying our planned vacations or trips, and budgeting our expenses as best as we can. However, your oral health is not something that you should cut back on. The more you put off dental care, the more expensive and painful it can be in the long run. (And not just to your mouth but your entire overall health as well!)
Routine visits to your dentist play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy oral microbiome. Studies show that oral health is systemically related to overall health. Untreated cavities can cause periodontitis (gum disease) which can lead to inflammation, infection, and even bone loss around the teeth. Periodontitis (gum disease) is linked to heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, dementia and even some types of cancer. If you have a heart condition, you should not avoid your visits to your cardiologist, or the routine EKG’s or diagnostic labs needed to treat you. Similarly, your dentist does routine exams and x-rays, as preventative care, to help to detect gum disease, oral cancer and tooth decay.
Ignoring tooth decay can lead to bigger and more expensive problems down the road. What could have been a simple filling, can turn into a crown, or worse, an extraction. Keeping up with your preventative dental care is the best way to stay ahead of your oral health and avoid any major problems or expenses.
In addition to your visits to your dentist, having good home oral care is also key to keeping your oral microbiome healthy. Make sure to brush twice a day, floss regularly (with regular floss, WaterPiks are not to be used in place of regular floss), limit sugary drinks and foods, and drink plenty of water.
There is never a good time to ignore any part of your health. Especially not your oral health, as the mouth is the gateway to our body’s health. In uncertain times, cut back on going out to lunch, getting your morning Starbucks coffee, or shopping sprees. In the long run, ignoring your oral health will only hurt your mouth and bank account too! We are offering a New Patient Special, which includes your comprehensive exam, full mouth x-rays and a cleaning for $455. We offer $100 off your cleaning, so the total is $355. Come in and start prioritizing your oral and overall health.
