Dentists Are Your First Line Of Defense
When most people think of going to the dentist, they often think of things that are unpleasant – maybe one of those root canal they heard about, the sting of the Novocain, or that dental office smell. Well, if you haven’t been to the dentist in a while (some patients wait ten or fifteen years sometimes), then today is the day to change your outlook on dentists.
The 21st century dentist is a new breed of medical professional. With new, improved techniques and procedures, dentistry is both science, and especially, an art. With the advent of improved materials, anesthetics, and procedures there isn’t much a dentist can’t do to improve your teeth and gums, and most of all, dentists can do it with you comfortable and relaxed.
Often overlooked for their medical expertise, dentists are often a first line of defense in spotting diseases. Aside from providing excellent dental care and comfortable office visits, your dentists are vigilantly looking to ensure that the rest of you is healthy too!
Dentists are the health care professionals that people see most frequently. A majority of people see their dentist at least once or twice a year, while maybe seeing their primary care doctor maybe once every two or three years. This is an interesting fact for a number of reasons. Chiefly, if there is a new health issue starting to affect you, it may be a dentist that spots it first!
Dentists are trained not only to be experts of the mouth, gums, and teeth, but they are also are on the front line to detect other diseases and conditions that can afflict a patient. Through dental school and continuing education, your dentists have the ability to spot the beginning of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and even cancer.
Good dentists will not only screen for mouth related issues and concerns, but will also review your health history and physical status. Signs within the mouth can also be signals that something is happening to your heart (heart disease), pancreas (diabetes), joints (rheumatoid arthritis), or GI system (Crohn’s disease). These four are just a small sampling of oral manifestations of systemic diseases.
Dentists have changed a great deal in the last twenty years. We pride ourselves on the providing our patients with the best techniques, technologies, and knowledge. And who knows, that next dental appointment might just save your life. Call today to get scheduled!
