Your dental health is extremely important because it can affect your overall well-being, confidence, self-esteem, etc. Imagine sitting in a conference room with your co-workers.
You want to contribute to the ongoing discussion, but your breath smells. You feel self-conscious and hesitate to share your excellent opinions with the rest of the team. Such situations can be disheartening.
Bad breath can often be a sign of poor dental health. However, it’s not the only thing that can affect your confidence and self-esteem.
A survey published by the National Library of Medicine revealed that 17% of older adults in Washington state had oral health problems.
On the other hand, some people are born with misaligned teeth, necessitating braces to correct them. It’s no fault of their own because misaligned teeth usually occur due to genetics.
Nevertheless, whether you have genetic issues, cavities due to poor lifestyle habits, or other oral problems, you should visit a dentist regularly because oral hygiene is extremely important.
Keep in mind that the prices for dental services vary according to areas and types of treatment.
Even people with healthy gums, clean teeth, and a flawless smile need to see a dentist regularly to ensure their oral hygiene doesn’t deteriorate, especially with age.
Arlington, Washington, is home to many fantastic dental practices. Finding the right dental provider can be challenging.
So, make sure to do your research. For example, if you’re looking for dental clinics that offer affordable braces and Invisalign in Arlington, Washington, consider Lund Orthodontics, known for affordable and quality services.
Why Good Oral Health is Important
Good oral health is important for several reasons:
- Good dental hygiene protects your gums, preventing gum diseases like gingivitis, which occurs from bacterial infections, and periodontal disease, which causes gum inflammation and bone loss around your teeth.
- Good oral health also protects your teeth from decaying. For instance, untreated cavities can be particularly damaging.
How Your Oral Health Affects Your Overall Health
Everyone knows the importance of good oral health and dental hygiene. However, most people don’t know their oral health can also impact their overall well-being. Here’s how:
Cardiovascular Diseases
Studies show that poor dental hygiene is more likely to cause cardiovascular diseases. Strokes have a strong correlation with periodontal disease.
Similarly, poor oral health can also lead to coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart problems. In addition, people with periodontal disease also have a higher risk of atherosclerosis.
Endocarditis
Poor dental health can also lead to endocarditis, which inflames your heart valve’s linings. Endocarditis usually occurs from bacterial infections during tooth extractions.
Pregnancy and Birth Complications
Poor dental health in pregnant women can lead to birth complications because oral bacteria can seep into the bloodstream, affecting the fetus.
Pregnant women with poor hygiene are more likely to have miscarriages and stillbirths. In addition, they’re also more likely to experience fetal growth restriction or suffer from gestational diabetes.
Pneumonia
Cavities can lead to greater chances of developing pneumonia since mouth bacteria can travel to the lungs.
Tips for Selecting the Right Dental Service Provider
Here are some tips for selecting the right dental service provider:
1. Check Reviews from Other Patients
Technologies like the internet and social media have simplified learning more about a dental practice. A simple Google search will show the dental practice’s Google Business Profile and show reviews from other patients.
Checking these reviews before selecting a dental service provider is a good idea because it’ll give you an idea about the dentist’s reputation and credibility.
2. Obtain Referrals from Friends and Family
Before the internet became widely accessible, people used to obtain referrals from friends and family members.
While finding a dental service provider near you with a quick Google search might be easy, you can still ask friends or family members for recommendations.
After all, they’re your most trustworthy source. They’ll share their experiences with specific dental providers, allowing you to decide if you want to proceed with one of them.
3. Consider the Location
A dental service provider’s location is another important consideration. If a dentist is located two hours away from your home or workplace, you’ll have to take a day off to visit them.
Furthermore, you would ideally want to find a dentist closer to you because it would make it easier to go there for routine dental appointments.
4. Working Hours Also Matter
Another important consideration is the dental practice’s working hours. For instance, working professionals in a nine-to-five job might want to avoid a practice that also operates only during those hours.
More importantly, it’s a good idea to consider a practice that has dentists available round-the-clock in case of dental emergencies.
5. The Dental Office Technology
Technology has affected every industry, and dental care is no exception. Dentists today increasingly utilize technology for their work.
For instance, dentists use digital X-rays often because they provide accurate results immediately, allowing them to identify issues quickly. Therefore, ensure you select a dental office with the latest technology for higher-quality dental care.
6. Focus on the Dentist’s Credentials
Experience matters when it comes to healthcare. Logic dictates that the more experienced a dentist is, the better the health outcome.
It’s also crucial to ensure the dentist specializes in the area you’re seeking treatment for. For example, let an orthodontist handle an orthodontics treatment.
You’ll also want to check that your dentist has the necessary certifications because it proves they have received the required training to treat patients.
7. Ensure the Practice Has the Right Services
While most dentists offer comprehensive dental care, some practices don’t offer every service. Instead, they’ll refer you to a specialist for some treatments.
While this might not necessarily be an issue for you, some people prefer receiving continual care from a trusted dentist.
Conclusion
Maintaining your oral health is important for your confidence and self-esteem. Moreover, your oral health also impacts your overall well-being.
Patients with poor dental hygiene are likelier to contract cardiovascular diseases and pneumonia.
Thus, regularly visiting your dentist is important. Utilize the tips listed in this article to find the ideal dental care provider near you.
