General Dentistry Can Prevent Harmful Infections

The key to having a healthy mouth and great teeth is consistency. The more consistent one is with regular dental visits, coming in at least twice a year for cleaning and examinations, the less likely one is to have oral health problems. Unfortunately, another fact about general dentistry is that most people put off visiting the dentist and many people do not even come in once a year. This leads to additional and completely preventable problems.

The consequences are not worth skipping appointments

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 27 percent of all Americans suffer from untreated cavities and decay. Considering how easy it is to keep cavities and decay at bay with regular cleaning, it becomes more apparent why dentists keep telling patients to come in regularly for these services. In addition to the fact that more than 1 in 5 people have cavities needing treatment, while 14 percent of adults across the United States believe that the condition of their oral health is “poor” or “bad.”

We can prevent even the serious problems with general dentistry but cannot help people unless they walk through the door. Therefore, educating people and spreading the word about good oral health and hygiene are our top priorities. Unfortunately, there has been a downturn over the last decade or so in the number of people who make it a priority to visit the dentist at least once a year. Measuring the frequency of a person’s visits by the year, we hope to see two visits but are satisfied if there is at least one. In the years between 2002 and 2012, the percentage of people who visited a dentist in 12 months dropped from 44.5 percent to 42 percent.

If you have been on the fence about seeing the dentist, there are many reasons you should consider coming in. Here are some that are not often spoken about, even in general dentistry.

Oral cancer screenings with general cleanings

A common reason that people need to consider visiting a dentist at least once every six months is the addition of oral cancer screenings. In general dentistry, it is much easier to detect oral cancer during a routine examination. Lesions that may appear on the mouth, tongue, and throat are often a giveaway that further investigation is warranted. If we are able to catch a condition like cancer early, we have a much better opportunity to help you fight it and win.

However, oral cancer is not the only condition that first manifests in the mouth. There are a number of viral and bacterial infections with symptoms originating in the mouth, often before anywhere else. This is because the mouth provides an excellent snapshot of the overall condition of the body, telling us everything from vitamin deficiency to whether or not one is drinking enough fluids during the day.

For more information or to schedule a general cleaning, give us a call. We can help keep your teeth healthy and prevent the spread of infections.

General Dentist

We offer general dentist services including professional examinations and cleanings. While oral hygiene at home can help, we can identify and eliminate any early traces of decay before they spread.

Oak Tree Dental

At Oak Tree Dental in McLean, we work to customize your treatment to match your needs and schedule where possible. Our professional staff aims to create a calm atmosphere for you during the appointment and treatment process. We will identify any dental issues you are struggling with and work with you to find the solution that works best for you.

Our staff seeks to create a comforting environment at the office to ease patients into the procedure. We can help prevent damage to your teeth and set you on track for a lifetime of quality oral health. At Oak Tree Dental, your dental health is our prime concern.