Regular visits to your family dentist are vital for a healthy lifestyle because they keep your teeth and gums healthy and check for any underlying issues you need to take care of. Like any other dental professional, they can spot issues in your oral health that may relate to other things going on in your overall well-being. Let’s take a look at a few.
Diet
If you like to eat sweets, then you can see the mark of eating sugary dietary choices on your teeth. Over 26% of American adults have untreated tooth decay, according to the CDC. As any family dentist will tell you, sugar can wreak havoc on your teeth, especially if you don’t practice regular oral hygiene. It’s important to brush and floss twice a day no matter what you eat.
Mental Health
Mental health can easily tie into the state of one’s oral health. If someone is dealing with issues such as depression and anxiety, then your dentist may see it on your teeth. A dental patient suffering from anxiety may grind their teeth at night, which results in wearing down enamel. During depression, someone may not brush, floss, or use mouthwash regularly, which can cause tooth decay.
Confidence
It’s no secret that you may see people with perfect smiles who seem to be happy and smiling all the time. After all, a white smile and nicely shaped teeth are considered attractive traits. A perfect smile can boost one’s confidence and open doors in their life to create a happy existence. Someone dealing with missing teeth may have the opposite experience regarding being confident and having self-esteem. That’s why it’s so important to take proper care of your teeth.
Digestion
Did you know oral hygiene plays a major role in your digestion? When you have missing teeth or big gaps, it can be hard to chew your food. As a result, your body may be missing out on the nutrients it needs. If you can’t chew fruits and vegetables or healthy proteins, then you may settle for unhealthy food that’s easier to eat, which can harm your entire body.
Your local family dentist can check for problems in your oral health and help you the best way they can. Call our local office today for a consultation. We want to help you get the smile you want.