When we face an unpleasant situation, many people say it's "as bad as going to the dentist." Those with this perception may not realize that avoiding the dentist can be far more painful than facing the unfounded fear of facing simple dental procedures. Tampa dentistry professionals have fought hard against public perception of dentistry, educating people about the benefits of regular dental checkups. Even so, it's amazing how many people don't appreciate the importance of having regular dental cleanings and checkups!
Cosmetic Benefits
A professional cleaning at a Tampa dentistry office goes beyond any cleaning you can do at home. While regular brushing and flossing is important, they don't do much to control the buildup of tartar. Tartar is more porous than tooth enamel and easily absorbs stain-producing materials such as coffee or cigarette smoke.
You can probably see the tartar on your own teeth if you are overdue for a cleaning. It is generally a yellow or brown buildup around the gumline. It begins as a thin layer but slowly builds up, becoming thicker and discoloring more of the tooth. Tartar control toothpastes may slow down the formation of tartar but once it is there only a dentist or hygienist can remove it correctly.
Protecting Your Teeth
Tartar that forms under your gumline may not be a cosmetic problem but will irritate your gums. This irritation weakens the tissues, making them more susceptible to the bacteria that cause gum disease. These diseases can get bad enough that your dentistry office can't easily repair the damage with a simple procedure.
Tartar provides more surface area for bacteria to stick to, which allows a larger concentration of bacteria to gather in an area. This leads to increased chance of cavities, which if left unchecked can lead to advanced tooth decay and procedures like root canals. If the infection is near your gums, it can cause periodontal disease that can damage the bones that support the teeth.
Gum Disease Threatens The Rest Of The Body
There is a growing body of evidence being followed by the Tampa dentistry community that periodontal disease can lead to heart disease, respiratory problems, and even strokes.
Our mouths are the gateway to the rest of our bodies. Oral infections of any kind can quickly spread through the rest of our bodies as we eat, drink and breathe the bacteria into our systems. It is common, particularly in elderly patients, for a gum infection to spread into the lungs where it can develop into life threatening pneumonia. If the bacteria get into the blood stream, it can spread to any part of our body.
Tampa dentistry is not just a matter of bright smiles or avoiding painful cavities. As the insidious nature of gum infections is better understood, dental patients are taking better care of their teeth and taking time to visit their dentists. Considering the grim prognosis of avoiding regular dental checkups, maybe we need to change the phrase to "as bad as NOT going to the dentist".
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.massagebyben.com/articles/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites 