Adverse consequences of not visiting the dentist
Far more patients are aware of the importance of visiting a dentist St John’s Wood when they experience a dental issue, but few place the same importance on routine dental appointments. Dental practitioners find this a worrying trend indeed.
At Aura Dental, we know first-hand the adverse consequences that follow when patients suffer from pain and discomfort resulting from dental diseases. There is nothing so distracting as pain and discomfort to interfere with concentrating on tasks. Not seeking timely professional dental care from a dentist St John’s Wood and a patient may spend a longer period of time away from work and school. Even play and leisure activities can be disrupted, not to mention eating and sleeping. It is for all the above reasons and more that we encourage patients to take a more active approach in taking care of their oral health by making routine appointments with our capable and friendly dentist St John’s Wood to check on or clean their teeth and gums.
The critical importance of taking care of your teeth
To best understand why strong and healthy dentition is important, consider the various functions we rely on teeth to perform. The first obvious function is the grinding of food into easily digestible bits without which we would not be able to sustain our bodies.
The presence of natural teeth also influences how clearly we are able to speak and a strong dental arch gives shape and structure to the face. Then there is the irreplaceable aesthetic value of healthy teeth and gums on the confidence to smile a stunning smile.
What would happen if one cannot speak clearly or smile one’s best smile? When one’s confidence takes a knock, it is the quality of life that suffers. A drop in confidence leads to the increased likelihood of living life on the periphery – minimum social engagement.
There is another worrying concern about poor dental health – the greater possibility of complications with medical conditions. There are well-established links that show how poor oral health relates to problems with overall health and wellbeing.
Problems are first caused when the presence of bad bacteria in the mouth overwhelm the good ones, leading to chronic gum inflammation and tooth decay. These harmful microbes do not just wreak havoc in the mouth, but because the mouth stands as the entry point to the deeper and more vulnerable parts of the body, these destructive microorganisms can threaten vital life organs such as the heart and lungs. For example, advanced stages of gum disease have been found to contribute to cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, certain cancers and stroke.
Best ways to protect oral health
Taking care of natural teeth and gums is simple and easy but it does take consistency to keep one’s teeth for life. We encourage patients to implement a strict practise of brushing twice a day and flossing at least once. It is also important to make sure one is using correct brushing and flossing techniques like holding the toothbrush correctly and not using too much force when brushing.
In addition to best at-home oral hygiene practices is the absolute necessity of professional dental checkups – the only guaranteed way of knowing for sure if all is well with one’s dental health.
Dental appointments are not for only those times you experience a tooth or gum problem but also to gain peace of mind that there are no oral health problems that need attention. For a positive dental experience, choose a reputable dental practice. At Aura Dental we offer top-quality patient-centred dental care.