It is no secret… many of you “HATE the dentist!” We know this because patients tell us every day. We must assume that they really hate the idea of having dental work and do not actually hate US…. LOL! Perhaps the anxiety or fear comes from a past dental experience (which is most common) or maybe it is due to embarrassment. Sometimes the resistance to keeping up with regular dental checkups is because patients fear that the cost will be too high to take care of their needs. No matter the reason, they avoid or put off the appointments. The worst part of doing this is that the concept COMPLETELY BACKFIRES!
*** If we wait until we have pain to go visit a dentist, the appointments are more likely to be uncomfortable (showing up already hurting) and are more likely to cost more! ***
Another important note is that some dental issues, like bone disease or infections, are silent. Missing regular hygiene visits can mean that debris is building up under the gumline and causing bone disease or infections which leads to early tooth loss or major medical problems. If you are seen regularly, the dental team can PREVENT THE DISEASES or treat them early! Prevention is paramount for your wallet and overall health!! When it comes to dental diseases, the Mouth-Body Connection is significant! Dental bacteria can be detrimental to your health in so many ways. If left untreated, certain dental bacteria can damage your:
- Brain (increased risk for stroke)
- Heart (2 x more likely to have a heart attack)
- Pancreas (more difficultly in controlling Diabetes)
- Kidneys (infections increase the workload of the kidneys)
The best recommendation we can make is to visit your dentist (twice a year) for your exam and cleaning, especially if you have been avoiding the dentist. Choose a practice that you trust. Choose a dentist who believes that dental anxiety is real and one with an understanding team of professionals who would never judge you or make you feel embarrassed. Allow the them evaluate your dental and overall health and help you take care of your needs. We can AVOID DENTAL PAIN, HEALTH ISSUES, EXPENSIVE PROCEDURES AND NEGATIVE REPERCUSSIONS instead of AVOIDING THE DENTIST!
