The Importance of General Dentistry Services

It’s easy to put off scheduling those routine dental visits, especially when you practice good oral hygiene on a daily basis. However, general dentistry goes far beyond addressing dental issues alone. But these appointments do far more than preserve your smile.

Our team at The Dental Touch provides general, cosmetic, and implant dentistry at our practice in Oakland, California. If you have been putting off a visit, here are a few reasons you should book an appointment today.

Avoid more serious dental issues

The most obvious reason to schedule regular dental appointments involves taking care of your teeth and gums. As experts in oral health, a general dentist can:

• Diagnose oral diseases
• Provide disease prevention
• Improve oral health
• Treat potential dental issues, like cavities and gingivitis, before they advance
• Perform diagnostic tests to avoid long-term problems

Plus, general dentistry goes beyond care of your teeth and gums; it also involves your neck, jaw, tongue, salivary glands, and more. That means that your appointment also includes a comprehensive exam of these areas to check for any abnormalities, like swelling, ulcers, lumps, or discoloration.

Protect your body

General dentistry also protects your overall health. That’s because bacteria that builds up on your teeth and gums doesn’t stay in your mouth. Instead, it travels throughout your body by way of your bloodstream, putting your overall health at risk.

Nearly 50% of Americans 30 and older and 70% of those over 65 have gum disease. Unfortunately, this triggers inflammation in the body, increasing the risk of dangerous health complications, such as:

• Heart disease 
• Heart attack
• Sudden vascular events, like strokes or aneurysms
• Respiratory diseases, like pneumonia
• Pregnancy problems, like preterm birth and low birth weight
• Digestive disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome

Research also shows that men with gum disease have higher risks of kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and blood cancers.

Detect underlying diseases

Just like your oral health can impact your overall health, some underlying conditions can lead to problems in your mouth. In fact, more than 90% of systemic diseases cause symptoms in your mouth, ranging from ulcers and swelling to dryness and bleeding.

Health conditions a general dentist can help detect include:

• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease
• Oral cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Leukemia

You can even experience a tender and painful jaw before having a heart attack.

So, while it may be easy to put off getting general dental care, you could be making it harder for yourself in the long run.

Take the first step in protecting your smile and overall health. Contact The Dental Touch Oakland to schedule a general dental appointment by calling 510-324-9096 or booking online today.