Why You’re Never Too Old to Worry About Dental Care
If there’s one thing that most dentists wished more people knew, it’s that it’s never too late to take care of your teeth. For instance, some people might think they’re not a suitable candidate for braces because they’re adults, and yet many adults wear braces.
If you’re an adult who could use some dental work, you’re not alone. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in every four U.S. adults (26%) has at least one untreated cavity. Some adults don’t think much about their tooth decay if they’re older, believing that they’ll soon lose their teeth anyway. However, it’s crucial to worry about your dental care no matter what age you are. Below, we explore the top reasons why age is just a number when it comes to dental care.
Prevents Future Issues
When you fail to get dental work done in a timely manner, the issues you may be dealing with are likely to get worse. For instance, did you know that the CDC reports that the incidence of gum disease in adults 30 years or older is 46%? If gum disease isn’t treated in time, it can lead to more severe issues like tooth loss. Similarly, if you have a small cavity, this will eventually affect the deeper layers of your tooth, resulting in infections, pain, and extraction. The good news is that seeking dental treatment as soon as possible can prevent future issues, helping you save more money and a lot of headaches.
When it comes to preventing dental issues that pop up later in life, it’s important to take a proactive approach. It’s particularly important to start paying attention to your oral health as you grow older because the risk of dental problems also increases with age. Most people keep delaying that visit to the dentist because they’re convinced they’re too late anyway. This is not the approach to take because even if you have missed a few appointments, that doesn’t mean giving up will solve the problem. In fact, the situation will likely get worse over time. In addition, some people might worry that their dental issues are too late to solve.
The truth is this kind of evaluation can only be made by a qualified dental practitioner. Keep in mind that dentists are in the business of providing treatments and solving dental issues. So, there’s no need to be embarrassed because chances are your case isn’t the worst they’ve seen. Going in to see the dentist for your existing oral health issues ensures that issues like cavities and gum disease don’t cause lasting damage to your teeth. Even if you’re currently dealing with serious health issues like periodontitis, the right dental practitioner will create a customized treatment plan that can prevent you from requiring more involved dental procedures in the future.
Boost Confidence and Self-Esteem
Your smile is an integral part of your appearance. Whether you have crooked, decaying, or missing teeth, this can interfere with the appearance of your smile. Going to the dentist can help to improve your smile’s appearance and boost your self-confidence. Receiving dental work can also help eliminate issues like bad breath, typically caused by poor oral hygiene habits. Halitosis can put off many people, causing you to feel self-conscious during social interactions. Fortunately, visiting the dentist can help you achieve a nice smile and eliminate unpleasant odors. If you have crooked teeth, you can see an orthodontist and get your teeth straightened to improve the appearance of your smile.
Remember that you don’t have to be a certain age to repair cosmetic issues, either. Cosmetic dentistry exists for the sole reason of improving the appearance of your smile, no matter your age. So, even if you’re in your 30s, if you have a dental issue that affects the appearance of your smile, you can request to have dental work done. Your mental and emotional well-being matters, and having a healthy smile can do wonders for your self-confidence.
If you’re like most people, chances are that you interact with a lot of strangers, family, friends, and acquaintances. In such instances, you need to be comfortable enough to talk, smile, laugh, and eat without worrying about how your teeth look.
As mentioned, modern society values attractiveness and a healthy appearance. With cosmetic dentistry, you’re not stuck with crooked teeth forever. Instead, you can unlock the true beauty of your smile and use it to your advantage. For instance, when you have a winning smile, it’s easy for you to feel good about yourself. You can create a positive impression whether you’re at work or looking to make new friends. A great smile is infectious.
If you’re worried about how your teeth look, this may hold you back. But a smile makeover can quickly fix the problem. Get started by scheduling an appointment with your dentist if you want to improve your smile. You’re never too old to get the smile you have always wanted.
Restores the Function of Your Teeth
Too often, adults that never received the necessary dental work while they were younger can still benefit from getting it done now. This is especially so if they have a problem with misaligned teeth, which affects their bite function. For instance, if someone has crooked teeth, that means their bite isn’t aligned when their upper and lower teeth meet. When the bite isn’t aligned, this can lead to problems chewing and can even cause jaw pain. Thus, it’s never too late to solve an issue that causes pain and discomfort. The fix can be as simple as straightening crooked teeth with Invisalign, which can be done in a relatively painless manner over a specific time period.
Crooked or misaligned teeth aren’t the only issue that can affect the function of your teeth. You may have extreme tooth sensitivity if you have a damaged or decayed tooth. This can make it challenging to chew properly. The good news is that there are many dental procedures that can restore the function of your teeth. One common example is a dental crown which protects and strengthens a weakened tooth. Dental crowns can also be used to fix broken teeth and correct misshapen teeth. If you have lost some of your teeth, you can benefit from restorative dental techniques like dental implants, which are designed to function just like your real teeth.
It’s good to consult with a dentist and discuss your tooth restoration options if you have crooked, worn, damaged, or unhealthy teeth. Tooth restoration not only restores the natural function of your teeth but also prevents additional damage. It’s never too late to seek professional help to protect your teeth and prevent dental damage. Whether you need dental fillings, dental crowns, implants, dental bridges, or veneers, the right dentist will discuss your tooth restoration options with you to help you make an informed decision.
Improves Overall Health
There are many adults who have dental issues caused by a lack of education about their own personal dental health. For example, you may have been told to floss as a child but may not have been given instructions on how to effectively floss your teeth. You may be moving the floss up and down between your teeth rather than gently along the sides of each tooth.
When you have dental work to correct some of the issues you may be dealing with, whether it’s a tooth cavity or inflamed gums, your dentist usually provides you with advice on how to improve your oral hygiene. Besides the standard advice about brushing twice a day and flossing regularly, your dentist can help you develop a personalized dental hygiene routine.
As you get into the habit of visiting your dentist regularly, this will help improve your oral health, which can impact and improve your overall health. Proper dental work can help with related issues. Additionally, when your dentist examines and evaluates your mouth and teeth, they can screen for the early signs of oral cancer, diabetes, or other major illnesses.
According to the Mayo Clinic, your oral health can be thought of as the window to your overall health. Thus the importance of getting the right dental work no matter your age can’t be overemphasized. When your oral health isn’t good, the bacteria in your mouth have a chance to flourish. Your mouth is the gateway to your digestive and respiratory systems, so the presence of harmful bacteria in your mouth increases the risk of chronic illnesses. If you have some kind of oral infection and it goes unattended, this encourages microbes in your mouth to multiply and cause disease.
Poor oral health has been linked to a long list of health conditions, according to Healthline. For instance, poor oral health can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, although further research needs to be done to explain why this is so. Additionally, if your gums aren’t healthy, this is often a good indicator that your general state of health might not be good, either. Given how serious the effects of poor oral health can be, people of all ages are motivated to practice good hygiene daily and to schedule regular dental checkups and cleaning. Visiting your dentist for regular dental checkups is particularly helpful when it comes to enhancing your oral and overall health.
Gives You Peace of Mind
If you’re dealing with any dental issues, no matter how long you have been dealing with them, it’s never too late to see a dentist and have dental work done. Maybe you have had a toothache that comes and goes. This is a huge concern that can keep you up at night. You may also be afraid that the issue might get worse. The good news is that a dentist will be able to provide an accurate assessment of what’s going on with your teeth and mouth. If there are any issues, they’ll suggest a treatment plan. That means you no longer have to worry about how bad the situation is. Instead, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re on track with improving your oral health.
Another thing that can rob you of peace of mind is dental anxiety. Maybe you have put off going to the dentist for so long because you’re nervous about getting dental work done. Thankfully, dental technology has improved by leaps and bounds over the years and most dental procedures are virtually pain-free. Even if you never looked forward to visiting the dentist, you can quickly change your mind once you find the right dentist who knows how to put you at ease.
In the worst-case scenario, there are solutions that can be used to combat severe dental anxiety. For instance, conscious sedation can be administered to help you relax and block pain. This allows your dentist to do the treatment you need while you’re in a relaxed state. Other options include general anesthesia, which involves deep sedation, meaning you won’t be awake during the procedure. Therefore, you can have more peace of mind when considering the idea of getting some dental work done. You can enjoy peace of mind before the procedure because you’re confident your dentist will do all they can to ensure you remain calm and relaxed. After the procedure, you’ll also have peace of mind knowing your dentist has done all they can to fix the problem.
These benefits of regular dental care can be enjoyed at any age, thus proving the notion that it’s never too late to take care of your teeth. If getting dental work hasn’t been a priority, it’s time to push it to the top of the list, so you can start enjoying these benefits.
To summarize, the benefits of receiving the correct dental work at any age include added confidence from having a healthy smile. Seeing a dental practitioner sooner rather than later also means that you can prevent certain issues from getting worse, which gives you more peace of mind. You not only get to enjoy the restored function of your teeth but good dental care can also positively impact your overall health. Please get in touch with Gainesville Dental Associates today to schedule an appointment!