The
list of things that a person needs to attend to in a day seems endless. There
is never enough time for everything and frequently a visit to the dentist is
not the first priority. So how important is maintenance care on a regular
basis?
To
answer this question one might think about the purpose of a routine visit to
the dentist office. Of course everyone
expects to leave the dental office with bright shining teeth that feel fresh
and clean. But did you know that clean teeth are just a small part of your
dental checkup?
When
you have an appointment with the dentist or the dental hygienist quite a bit is
accomplished during the visit. First,
your dental health care provider usually updates your health history and
inquires about any changes in your health or
your medications. Any changes in your general health or medications
often are seen in your mouth. Next, a thorough
examination of your teeth is performed checking for decay, cracked or loose
fillings, and loose bridgework. The hygienist also looks for loose teeth or any
ill fitting dental appliances.
Next, your mouth is thoroughly examined for
any signs of rash, blisters, ulcers or sores. The gum tissues are examined to
see if there is any significant redness, bleeding or exudate (pus) that would
indicate signs of periodontal disease, a bacterial infection of your gum
tissues. Your tongue is examined on the top as well as underneath. The dentist
or hygienist looks down the back of your throat and on the roof of your mouth.
All the tissues of your mouth are also checked for any suspicious white or gray
patches that may require further examination in the form of a soft tissue
biopsy.
According to the American Dental Academy, more
than 30,000 new cases of oropharyngeal (mouth) cancer are reported each year.
This disease kills about 8,000 U.S. citizens annually, making it more deadly
than cervical cancer, malignant melanoma, and Hodgkin’s disease. The American
Dental Academy also states that tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption
are major risk factors for oral cancer, but about 25% of victims neither smoke
nor drink. For this reason a thorough oral cancer screening is an extremely
important aspect of every dental check-up.
After
the initial examination of your mouth the hygienist might suggest that x-rays
should be taken. A x-ray is an important diagnostic tool for dentists to detect
diseases of the mouth and face that escape detection by other diagnostic
methods. Patients sometimes express
concern about dental x-rays because of fear of radiation exposure. Federal,
state and local agencies have set strict safety standards for x-ray
equipment. Dental x-ray technology is
now so sophisticated that a patient’s head and neck exposure is very minimal.
Your dental professional can protect you by taking only necessary x-rays, using
equipment that restricts the beam to a specific area, and using a protective
lead apron with high speed film. Without the use of x-rays small cavities
between the teeth, abscesses, cysts, tumors and other diseases may be
impossible to detect before serious damage occurs. The Journal of the American
Dental Association cites the use of the wide angle or panoramic dental
radiograph (x-ray) as an innovative diagnostic tool in the detection of
critically clogged neck arteries. Approximately 730,000 strokes occur each year
in the United States. According to the National Stroke Association, half of
these strokes result from atherosclerotic plaques (build up of cholesterol
plaque and other fatty deposits in the arteries) found in the carotid
artery. Over a lifetime, strokes touch
four out of five American families. The
use of the panoramic x-rays enables the dentist to see calcifications that may
indicate a cause for concern. It is very important that every patient have a
panoramic x-ray screening at some point as determined by the dentist.
Finally,
health care providers have scientifically established that there is a definite
mouth
- body connection. An unhealthy mouth may be a sign of an unhealthy body.
Researchers have proven that there is a link between periodontal disease and
heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes, pregnancy problems, and
osteoporosis. Early detection is the key
in preventative medicine and dentistry. Small problems are much easier and less
expensive to resolve. So the next time you are thinking, do I really need to
have my teeth cleaned, think about what is happening at these visits. A dental hygiene visit is so much more than
smooth clean teeth. This visit is all about prevention, early detection, and
wellness. The choice is up to you!
For
further information please call the office of Dr. Robert Follweiler @ 772-283-1400
