Why go to the dentist?
Patients often visit the dentist to address specific problems. A typical complaint might be, ‘I have a broken tooth’, or, ‘my gums bleed when I brush’. Emergencies must be taken care of first, but it is important to remember that a yearly, or even twice a year checkup is of equal importance.
Here are three reasons why a dental exam is essential:
Dental studies are finding that an unhealthy mouth affects your overall health. Oral infections can damage your heart and organs and challenge the functioning of your immune system as it battles these infections.
Your smile helps you to feel good about yourself. A pleasant smile enhances your ability to socialize at home with family and friends, and to interact with co-workers when on the job.
Your smile also affects those around you. A pleasant smile radiates confidence and will inspire your friends, your family, and particularly your children.
A Dental Exam is Important:
When you visit the dentist for an emergency, perhaps a broken tooth, pain, or a swelling, then one or two x-rays will usually suffice for the dentist to diagnose and then treat your problem. It is important, however, that after the emergency has been taken care of, a complete exam must follow and be accompanied by a full set of x-rays (often 14-16 separate pictures). This ‘full set’ of x-rays is important, both for your dental health, and for your general health. At this visit, the dentist will check for deep tooth decay, gum infection, and potentially cancerous growths in the gums and bone.
If it has been three to five years since your last set of x-rays…
…or even a year since your last limited checkup, then it is time to schedule an appointment. After an emergency is taken care of, patients often think that nothing more needs to be done except a cleaning, but are surprised from the exam and x-rays to learn about hidden cavities and infections. A dentist is a licensed professional who is mindful of your health. When it is time for a check-up, just do it!
The Guarantee:
Nothing lasts forever in dentistry:
Fillings can break, crowns can fall out, teeth can crack, dentures, bridges and implants can (and do) fail. When you are ready for a complete dental exam ask these questions:
Ask your dentist about the general condition of your mouth. It is important to know if your teeth, and the bone that supports them, are in good shape. This means you can expect long-term satisfaction from any treatment. If you have bone loss and many deep cavities, then perhaps your work will last only a short time and you might decide to do treatments that are less fancy and with a lower price tag.
Ask what will happen if the work fails. You need to know the guarantee for redoing fillings, bridges, and dentures and you need to know what will happen if the dental work fails altogether…and cannot be redone. Don’t be shy. It’s much better to know a guarantee before the dental work is started.
Here’s my place! The Dental Corner in Union City,
New Jersey.
Our motto for nearly 40 years was simple. Make everyone happy. That should be your dentist’s motto too. Union City sits high on the New Jersey Palisades with spectacular views of Manhattan. Each and every type of person imaginable lives there and all feel welcomed. If you visit Union City, check out the great home-style cooking available in mom and pop owned restaurants found on every street!