As soon as you begin growing baby teeth, you start receiving routine teeth cleanings from your dentist. You might not realize how crucial this regular dental care can be for your smile along with the health of the rest of your body. Oral health links to many other medical conditions. So taking care of your smile can keep the rest of you healthy too.
A recent study in the Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry suggests that regular preventative dental care can lead to spending less money on other health care. So while some people may worry about exerting time and money at their dentist’s office, this could lead to significant savings in the long run. Read on to discover how routine dental services will improve your overall health and save you money.
How Does Oral Health Connect to Overall Well-Being?
When you visit your dentist for a routine appointment, they will both clean your teeth and examine your smile for signs of dental problems. The natural bacteria in your mouth will form plaque over your teeth, which you remove through at-home care like oral hygiene.
But your toothbrush might not always reach all areas in your mouth. Plaque can then linger and eat away at your dental structure. This spread of bacteria can heighten your risk of oral infections like gum disease. Infections like this can create inflammation in the gums, which will link to the body’s inflammatory response.
This can make it more difficult to manage certain health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. And you might have a higher chance of developing other problems like arthritis and pneumonia.
To ensure you do not put yourself in danger like this, you should reduce your risk of oral infections by keeping your teeth clean. Attend regular dental check-ups to prevent these problems. The dentist will also spot early signs of any issues and offer swift treatment.
Worried About Dental Work Costs?
Some people might think routine dental work will become expensive since most people should get two teeth cleanings per year. But if you skip these appointments, you carry a higher risk of oral infections that can create other health problems. Dealing with doctors for medical issues or an emergency may result in a very costly bill.
You can lower the chances of requiring this health care if you seek preventative dentistry on a regular basis. If you worry about the cost of this dental care, talk to your dentist about your dental insurance plan.
Most policies will cover two teeth cleaning appointments each year, so you should take advantage of this. Your dentist can let you know about other dental work you might need or desire and whether your annual premium can cover this cost. In the long run, you can save a great deal of money with this type of care. So do not delay your oral health treatments.
The Heart-Smile Connection You Can’t Ignore
Gum disease bacteria can actually travel through your bloodstream and affect your heart. Research shows that people with gum disease have a higher chance of developing heart problems like clogged arteries.
The inflammation from infected gums can also contribute to stroke risk. By keeping your gums healthy through regular cleanings, you’re giving your heart a better chance at staying strong. This means fewer doctor visits and lower medical bills down the road.
How Clean Teeth Help Control Diabetes
If you have diabetes, taking care of your teeth becomes even more important. Gum disease makes it harder to control blood sugar levels, which can cause more diabetes complications. On the flip side, high blood sugar creates the perfect environment for gum infections to grow.
It’s a dangerous cycle that can create expensive medical treatments. Simple preventive care like dental cleanings helps break this cycle. Diabetes can be easier to manage and potentially reduce medication costs.
Pregnancy and Dental Health: Saving for Two
Expectant mothers should know how dental health affects their pregnancy. Hormone changes during pregnancy can make gums more likely to swell and bleed. These infections and gum problems have been linked to premature births and low birth weight babies. This can also mean costly neonatal care.
Regular dental cleanings before and during pregnancy help prevent these issues. Many dental insurance plans cover extra cleanings during pregnancy because they know it saves money on healthcare costs later.
The Hidden Savings of Early Problem Detection
What seems like a small cavity now could turn into a root canal or tooth loss if ignored. Dental problems caught early are always cheaper to fix. A simple filling might cost a couple hundred dollars, while waiting until you need a crown could cost over a thousand. Regular checkups let your dentist spot issues when they’re small and affordable to treat.
Plus, finding oral cancer early through routine exams can save your life and prevent enormous medical bills. Those twice-yearly cleanings pay for themselves by catching problems before they become expensive.
Don’t wait for problems to come up. Schedule your next dental appointment and invest in a healthier, more affordable future today.