Reasons You Should Go to a Dentist

Updated on May 16, 2022
Free White Dental Equipment Near Wall Stock Photo

A dentist is someone who examines your teeth and is trained to treat oral health issues. They are not just there to make sure your smile is healthy; they are there to make sure you feel happy with your smile too. 

A lot of people are hesitant to go to the dentist and many people feel like it is a waste of time for someone to be checking their teeth when they do not have any problems. The fact is that there are many benefits to going to a dentist for bi-yearly checkups and cleanings even if you do not feel discomfort in your mouth. 

If you haven’t been to a dentist in a while, here are all the reasons why you should schedule an appointment with one. 

You want to maintain your excellent oral health

If you are someone who brushes their teeth and flosses regularly, chances are your teeth are in pretty good condition. That is awesome news! However, just because you take care of your oral health, does not mean you do not have to schedule a visit to the dentist. 

A dental hygienist is someone who can clean your teeth far more thoroughly than you can with just a simple toothbrush, toothpaste, and some dental floss. That hard-to-get plaque can still build up around your teeth and gums without proper removal from special dental instruments. 

Everyone has plaque on their teeth, no matter how well you brush and floss. It is just a fact of life. Brushing and flossing will just cut down on the amount of it in your mouth and prevent it from building up too much. There will most likely be a little leftover in hard-to-reach places that your toothbrush missed. A dental hygienist can help you reach these hard to brush places and remove the plaque that is starting to form in your mouth. 

If you’re looking for more ways to maintain your already good oral health, click this link: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/tips.html

Free Man Brushing His Teeth Stock Photo

You feel pain in your teeth

Painful gums or a painful tooth is one of the most terrible feelings in the world. You cannot eat, talking can be difficult, and you might even have a tough time sleeping because of the amount of discomfort you feel.

Pain in your mouth is not normal and it should be taken seriously. Painful gums and teeth can mean that you could have a broken tooth, a cavity, gum disease, decaying teeth, or an infection. All these things have to be diagnosed by a dentist and treated with medication or a dental procedure. 

If you fail to visit your dentist with a painful mouth, then you are doing yourself a disservice. Without intervention, you could be worsening the problems in your mouth. Diagnostic imaging and testing are all something you need to get you on the path to health and a dentist is the only person who can get that for you. 

Free Close-Up Shot of Xray of Teeth Stock Photo

You have bad breath

Bad breath is not just embarrassing, it is an indication of poor dental health. There are a lot of reasons for poor breath, but the general rule is that if you have several consecutive days of bad breath that just will not go away, then there is something wrong. 

A bad tooth and gum disease can cause poor breath in dental patients. Other diseases such as diabetes or medication can affect the smell of your breath. A dentist will be able to assess the cause of your poor breath and outline treatment options for you to consider. 

For reasons why you could be experiencing poor breath, click the link

You do not love your smile

You are not the only one who does not like their smile in this world. There are probably hundreds of thousands of people who feel as though their smiles are lacking for some reason but do not go to the dentist for a variety of reasons. 

If you hate your smile and have access to a dentist in your area, then you should go to receive an evaluation. A dentist will be able to make suggestions based on the state of your mouth to help you improve your smile. 

Braces, veneers, dental implants, and dentures are all things a dentist can help you get to correct your smile. They will be able to give you options, an estimate, and all the information you need to make an informed decision. 

Fixing your smile and creating one that makes you feel good will improve your self-confidence and make you feel better about yourself. 

Free Smiling Woman in Gray Tank Top Stock Photo

You suspect something is wrong

If you notice your teeth changing color, feel a growth in your mouth, or have bleeding gums, then you probably think that something is going on. If you avoid going to the dentist when you know in your gut that something is not normal, then you could be opening a whole can of worms by not receiving help right away. 

Undiagnosed oral cancers can spread to other parts of the body if not treated early and if you have an infection or disease growing in your mouth, forgoing treatment is only going to worsen the problem dramatically. A dentist can listen to your concerns and examine the issue you suspect is going on for themselves. They can give you a reliable diagnosis you can count on and help set your mind at rest. 

As you can see, there are a lot of reasons to go to the dentist and these are just the tip of the iceberg. A dentist can help you maintain your health, diagnose issues, prevent disease, and help you improve your self-esteem. If you have not been to the dentist in a while, now is your chance! Go online and look for dentists in your area. Or you can always ask a friend or family member for recommendations. 

If you have dental insurance, then calling and talking to your health care provider can also give you suggestions of dentists in your network. This way you can be sure that you will have coverage when it comes time to go to your appointment. 

+ posts

Throughout the year, our writers feature fresh, in-depth, and relevant information for our audience of 40,000+ healthcare leaders and professionals. As a healthcare business publication, we cover and cherish our relationship with the entire health care industry including administrators, nurses, physicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and more. We cover a broad spectrum from hospitals to medical offices to outpatient services to eye surgery centers to university settings. We focus on rehabilitation, nursing homes, home care, hospice as well as men’s health, women’s heath, and pediatrics.