Defining and Maintaining Great Oral Health at Schaefer Dental Group
What does the phrase “oral health” mean to you? No new cavities at your dental checkup? That’s certainly part of it. But it’s really so much more than a lack of tooth decay. Good oral health means a mouth that’s free of disease—from mild gingivitis to oral cancer; a bite that functions well enough for you to eat without pain and get ample nutrition; and a smile that lets you express your happiest emotions with confidence. Simply put, oral health is a crucial component of your overall health and well-being. Schaefer Dental Group is committed to ensuring your oral health in Lansing, Michigan.
It’s important to realize that small—and readily treatable—problems in your mouth can become more complicated, painful, and expensive if neglected for too long. Some of these oral health conditions may even have ramifications throughout the whole body:
- Gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which can loosen teeth and cause them to fall out.
- Missing teeth can lead to bone loss in the jaw and inadequate nutrition.
- People with severe gum disease may be at increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease.
The moral of this story: Routine maintenance can pay off big.
What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
You play a primary role in safeguarding your oral health:
- Daily Oral Hygiene: Maintain a routine that effectively removes plaque. This involves brushing your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once per day to remove plaque from between the teeth.
- Lifestyle Choices: You have control over how much sugar you eat and when you eat it; how often you exercise; whether you smoke; and how often you visit the dentist. These choices play an important role in your oral and overall health.
How Schaefer Dental Group Can Help
If you only see a dentist when problems arise, you may be missing out on some important benefits. As doctors who specialize in oral health, we offer a wide range of preventive services at your regular exams:
- You will be checked for any signs of oral cancer, tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral infections.
- Hard-to-reach deposits (tartar) will be professionally cleaned from your teeth.
- You can get answers to any questions you have, from oral hygiene issues to the connection between oral health and systemic diseases.
So please don’t wait for a serious problem to come up before you make an appointment at the dental office. Having regular checkups could save you lots of time, aggravation, and cost in the long run. It could even save your teeth! Working together, we can take proactive steps toward a healthy future.
