Dental Checkups: Why Not to Skip Oral Exams
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2011/12/27 - Updated: 2021/11/08
Category Topic: Oral Health and Hygiene - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Information on the importance of having a regular oral examination at your dentist. Once a tooth begins to decay, it will never heal on its own. It's better to catch the decay early before it progresses into a larger lesion. In cases of extreme decay a person may have to have the affected tooth extracted or removed.
Introduction
Good oral health is vital to overall health, and people of all ages should not neglect their oral health care.
Main Content
It is understandable that families are trying to be frugal with their finances during these tough times. While dental care may seem like an easy expense to cut, postponing regular dental checkups could result in a serious oral health problem and a more expensive treatment plan in the long run.
"When a patient is not seen at a regular three-month, four-month or six-month intervals, problems are left to progress, which leads to more expensive treatments such as crowns, root canals or periodontal surgeries," said Dr. Tamara S. Brady, a PDA member dentist in Exton. "Not only are these procedures more expensive, they also may not be covered by a patient's dental insurance."
PDA has no statistics on whether more Pennsylvanians are avoiding dental checkups because of the economy. However, there is anecdotal evidence. Gallup-Healthways surveyed 177,000 Americans from January through June 2011. The survey showed that 35 percent, or more than one-third, of Americans did not visit a dentist in the last 12 months during this time period. Pennsylvania was close to the national average, at 33 percent.
"It is important to not skip your routine dental checkup appointments because it is not always apparent to a person when there is a dental problem that should be addressed," said Dr. Brady. "Many patients build up significant plaque and tartar in between dental hygiene exams and these materials need to be removed professionally at your routine recall appointment. Also, dental decay can begin to develop and will need to be detected by a dentist via a dental exam and X-rays."
Once a tooth begins to decay, it will never heal on its own. It's better to catch the decay early before it progresses into a larger lesion. Dr. Brady said, "In cases of extreme decay a person may have to have the affected tooth extracted or removed."
By avoiding the dentist to save money, patients are putting their overall health in jeopardy too.
Dentists also check for more serious conditions, such as oral cancer and jaw diseases. They are trained to look for many systemic diseases simply through your regular oral exam. Lack of dental treatment can lead to or exacerbate medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Studies show that mouth health is connected to the rest of the body. Periodontal (gum) disease is linked to coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, bacterial pneumonia, pre-term births and low-birth weight babies. In addition, oral health problems can negatively affect your ability to speak, chew and swallow properly, which can have an adverse impact on your ability to consume the nutrition your body needs to remain healthy.
Ideal preventive care between routine checkups include:
- Limit intake of foods containing sugar and starches. Sugary drinks should only be consumed with an accompanying meal. Water is the ideal drink in between meals.
- Brush teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste containing fluoride at least two times a day. Always complete right before bedtime.
- Floss teeth at least one time per day, again it is best to complete right before bedtime.
- Schedule and complete any prescribed dental treatment in a timely manner to decrease the risk of the disease progressing.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.