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Have you ever missed any of your dental appointments? Many people do. It’s easy to shrug off a missed appointment as unimportant, especially when you have no immediate dental concerns that need to be addressed.

However, it is vital to have regular visits to your dentist’s office to ensure you maintain proper oral hygiene. Your oral health can also indicate your overall physical health, meaning dentists are also essential members of your healthcare team.

A Dentist’s Role

Dentistry is a branch of medicine dealing with the study, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of your oral health and conditions. Most people are aware that dentists handle tooth and gum health. However, you might not know that dentists also play a part in addressing issues related to your jaw and even your neck — it’s more than just making sure you brush your teeth!

Dentistry — More Than Your Mouth

You need your mouth for a variety of essential things — eating, communicating, and even breathing. Poor oral hygiene could make any of these activities difficult. Damaged teeth and diseased gums can make eating painful and communication challenging.

However, there are conditions beyond your teeth and gums that can affect your well-being. An example is TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, which, among other things, causes aches and pain in your jaw. Your dentist can help diagnose and address TMJ.

Your Oral Health Impacts Your Overall Health

Maintaining your oral health does more than protect your teeth and gums. Your mouth is teeming with bacteria. Some of these bacteria are useful to you, but improper oral care allows harmful bacteria to flourish. Your mouth is an entryway to your respiratory and digestive systems, meaning bad oral hygiene could lead to other diseases. These diseases include the following:

• Endocarditis
• Pneumonia
• Clogged arteries
• Heart diseases
• Stroke

Some diseases can also be detected in your mouth. The symptoms of diseases like HIV/AIDS can show up as lesions in oral tissues, for example. Some other diseases that can be detected orally are:

• Osteoporosis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Diabetes

As such, you should regularly see your dentist, not just for your oral health, but also for your overall physical well-being.

Scheduling Dental Appointments

A common question raised by many people is: how often should I visit a dentist? The rule of thumb is you should schedule a dental appointment at least every 6 months. However, statistics show that some individuals often miss appointments unless there is an urgent dental problem, which is a bad oral hygiene practice. Depending on your oral hygiene, habits, and other medical conditions, your dentist may recommend check-ups more often or as needed, and it is imperative that you strictly follow the schedule they set.

Dental Care in Plantation, FL

Your oral health is just as important as any other aspect of your health. Dentistry helps ensure that your mouth is healthy and clean. Likewise, your dentist can also detect other diseases not directly related to oral health.

If you are looking for a reliable dental care provider in Plantation, Florida, look no further. Dr. Ernie Soto is a certified oral health professional with an extensive background in various dentistry specialties. You may call us at (954) 368-6264 or conveniently request an appointment online.