In the New Year, a lot of us have resolutions that we want to achieve or fulfil. They could be getting a new job, joining a gym to work out or quitting smoking.
Health and wellbeing are usually one of the resolutions on our lists. But wellness in oral health may not be in a lot of our agendas since most of us aren’t aware of the importance of dental wellness. First of all, let’s look at gum disease. According to the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of American adults suffer from gum disease. It is a chronic inflammatory condition that attacks your gums, the bones and ligaments that support your teeth. It can damage your appearance, your confidence, your mental health and even the wellness of your entire body.
Diseased gums are either brightly red or swollen during speech or smile, and compounded with bad breath. This could severely reduce your attractiveness and social acceptance. In severe cases, gum disease can result in dark and discoloured teeth that may become mobile because of the loss of bones surrounding the teeth. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show high prevalence of periodontal disease in the U.S. population. The American Academy of Periodontology encourages yearly comprehensive periodontal evaluations to assess for disease in the upper front teeth. This could manifest itself in flared out teeth with large spaces between them, while the lower teeth collapse backward to become overcrowded. Eventually, the teeth will fall out… this will greatly impact your smile.
Gum disease has been linked to many systemic illnesses including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, cancers, dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Treating and preventing gum disease during examinations and regular cleaning (scaling and prophy) is a kind of wellness dentistry that everyone should prioritize.
The second aspect of wellness is a bright, dazzling smile. Straight white teeth can be achieved using several options, depending on the conditions and needs. Cosmetic dentistry can involve veneers & bonding, crowns and teeth-whitening (bleaching using carbamide peroxide) treatments. Orthodontic dentistry like braces and clear aligners (clear trays) can be employed in conjunction with cosmetic dentistry, to achieve the desirable results that everyone wants to have.
Making your oral health a top priority in your New Year’s resolutions for 2020 should be a must.
I am a family dentist in Burlington Ontario who has a special interest in wellness dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. If you live near my practice in Burlington, feel free to drop in and chat with us about your oral health needs. My team and I are excited to meet you and answer any questions you may have. Fill out the form below or call us at 289-861-5111
