Just a selection of reasons why you might consider visiting your dentist.

Remember; prevention is almost always the best cure!

You have pain– Pain or swelling in your mouth, face or neck can mean a number of things.

Your Gums are acting up- If your gums are puffy, they bleed when you brush or floss, or you have a family history of gum disease, it’s time to make an appointment.

You Try to Hide Your Smile– Whether you’re self-conscious about a missing tooth or hoping for a brighter smile, don’t be shy about talking to your dentist.

You Have Ongoing Health Issues– Make your dentist part of your team if you have a medical condition (such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, eating disorders or are HIV positive), or you are undergoing medical treatment (such as radiation, chemotherapy or hormone replacement therapy).

You’re Pregnant– It’s safe to go to the dentist while pregnant. In fact, pregnancy can make some dental problems worse, so don’t miss your regular checkup.

You’re Having Trouble Eating- Difficulty chewing or swallowing is not the norm. Try eating soft or liquified foods until you can see your dentist.

You Use Any Kind of Tobacco– From bad breath to oral cancer, cigarettes and chewing tobacco are harmful to your overall and dental health.

You’re Having Jaw Pain- Make an appointment if your jaw sometimes pops or is painful when opening and closing, chewing or when you first wake up. See a dentist also if you have an uneven bite.

Your Mouth Has Spots and Sores– If there’s something that doesn’t look or feel right in your mouth, your dentist should examine any mouth sore that lasts a week or longer. Types of mouth sores include canker sores, cold sores, leukoplakia and candidiasis. They vary in their severity and causes. Mouth sores could be the symptom of a disease or disorder; infection from bacteria, viruses or fungus or result from irritation caused by braces, dentures or the sharp edge of a broken tooth or filling.

It’s Simply Time For Your Checkup- Even if you don’t have any symptoms, checkups are important because they can help prevent problems from developing and treat existing symptoms before they become more advanced.

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy entails more than brushing and flossing. Regular dental health reviews and professional cleaning play an important part in oral healthcare and your overall wellbeing.

There was a time when many dentists concentrated on fixing problems instead of preventing them. Those days are long gone, and modern dentistry places a strong emphasis on preventative dental care, including regular examinations and cleaning.

Here are some reasons why regular dental health reviews are so important:

1. Early Detection of Dental Problems

Your dentist can detect issues you may be unaware of. Many dental issues – including gum disease, cavities and oral cancer – don’t cause pain or become visible until they are in advanced stages.

2. Increase Your Self-Esteem

Your smile can say a lot about you and performs an important role in creating a good impression as you interact with other people. Regular dental visits will not only help to keep your teeth and gums healthy but give you the confidence to show off your winning smile.

3. Set a Good Example for Your Kids

Research suggests that parents can unknowingly pass on dental anxieties to their children, and that if you show a negative attitude towards visiting the dentist, your kids will react in the same way. Maintaining a routine of regular dental visits will set a good example by showing your child that this is a normal part of oral healthcare.

4. Help with Sleep Problems

Your dentist can provide a customized mouth guard to open up your airways and eliminate snoring & teeth grinding.

5. Prevent Bad Breath

Bad breath (halitosis) can be caused by poor oral hygiene, gum disease or particles of food lodged in hard-to-reach places. Regular check-ups and professional teeth cleaning are the best way to prevent this problem.

6. Avoid Tooth Loss

Advanced periodontitis can result in the destruction of bone that supports the teeth as plaque eats further into the roots of the teeth. A thorough cleaning during your regular dental visit, plus a good routine of brushing and flossing at home, will go a long way in keeping your teeth healthy.

7. Maintain Overall Wellbeing

Oral health is linked to your overall health. Besides cancer, poor dental hygiene can result in issues such as diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis.

8. Financial Benefits

Preventive dentistry is far less expensive than restorative treatment.

Schedule your oral health review with us today and maintain that winning smile!

The importance of replacing lost or missing teeth

1. It affects your jaw bone and gums

When you lose teeth, it disturbs the relationship between your teeth and your jawbone. Gum and bone are no longer stimulated well enough because of your missing teeth, so your jaw bone starts shrinking and your gum pulls back. This can weaken neighbouring teeth until they collapse. Teeth in the opposite jaw can then start growing into the gap.

2. Tooth loss can affect your appearance

Missing teeth and a reduced jaw bone can make your face look older and wrinkly, and for your cheeks to become hollow and saggy, because they can no longer fully stabilize your lips and cheeks from the inside.

What are my options if I am missing teeth?

(i) Dental Implants If a missing tooth is taking away from your confidence and smile, a dental implant is your most effective, long-term solution. Implants look just like your natural teeth, are suitable for any age, can last a lifetime and the treatment is conducted under an anesthetic. It’s the easiest, quickest way to restore your smile and confidence.

(ii) Dentures As you may already know, dentures are removable teeth that are designed to sit on your gums and jawbone. Dentures are used for more than talking and eating. Dentures also keep your jawbone in place to maintain the structure of your bones and muscles in your oral cavity and face.

If you are unsure about which option would best suit you, contact us today and book a consultation with a member of our team here