Why Is Dental Health Important?

Concerns From Lack of Oral Care

Some issues from neglect are bad breath and among the more serious gum disease and tooth decay. There are multiple steps to tooth decay, but it's caused by bacteria in your mouth producing acid that destroys your tooth's enamel. The minerals get broken down until a cavity forms. 

Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is caused by poor oral health. It is when your gums become puffy or swollen, bleed when you brush, and other concerning symptoms. When left untreated, this can lead to your teeth falling out entirely. 

But, this isn't all that can happen when you neglect to take care of your teeth. Serious issues related to other systems of your body can occur. Some of the most frightening are endocarditis and cardiovascular disease. Both of these relate to bacteria from your mouth building up, causing infection, and traveling through your bloodstream to your heart.

While it might seem that your mouth and heart are unrelated, there can be deadly consequences to not taking care of your oral health. Studies have shown that untreated tooth infections can increase heart disease by almost 3 times. So what might seem like an inconvenience such as a dental exam can be life-saving for you or your loved one.

What a Dentist in Hollywood FL Can Do for You

Now that you understand the risk posed by putting off oral health, you can learn more about what a Florida dentist can do. By getting a dental exam by your dentist in Hollywood FL every six months, you can guarantee your teeth are healthy and clean.

When you go in for your semi-annual dental exam, your dentist will take a comprehensive look at your mouth. You will sit in a chair that lays back, and either the dentist or dental hygienist will use special tools to scrape and clean your teeth.

They clean your teeth by removing plaque and tartar that they find. If you're not sure, plaque is a sticky substance that can be found on your teeth. If that plaque is not treated, it will harden and turn into tartar.

Tartar is much more difficult to remove than plaque. This is the bacteria buildup that your dentist can clean to help avoid serious infection. 

More often, if you are a child, you will be given a fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a mineral that many dentists use to prevent tooth decay. It will remineralize weakened enamel and can even reverse early tooth decay.

The dentist might take x-rays of your mouth, which is in addition to your dental exam. This helps them get a more full picture of your oral health. X-rays help your dentist identify tooth decay, gum disease, and other potential issues.

X-rays are also beneficial for kids to see how their teeth are coming in and make sure they are coming in straight.

Some patients have concerns about the safety of x-rays since there is radiation exposure. But, the level of radiation patients are exposed to is very minimal. Dentists use the least amount of radiation possible to get a picture of your teeth and cover you with lead aprons to keep the exposure contained to your teeth.



Once the dentist has completed their exam and x-rays, they will discuss if there were any issues. If they see something of concern like a cavity, they will schedule another appointment for you to have that taken care of.

Visit Your Florida Dentist Today

The health of your mouth is just as important as the health of the rest of your body, and neglecting it can have serious consequences. In this article you have learned some of the consequences of not taking care of your oral health and the benefits of a dental exam.

While many people have a fear of going to the dentist, by learning about dental exams and x-rays you can go into an exam knowing what to expect.



By seeing a dentist in Hollywood FL, you can guarantee your teeth are clean and healthy. If you have been on the fence about a dental exam, schedule one today to experience a clean smile.

From regular dental visits to flossing every day, there are a few steps you can take to enjoy a pain-free, oral health journey.

Your dentist in Hollywood, FL will be able to provide you with a full picture of your overall oral health at your next visit. If you find yourself experiencing tooth or mouth pain, don't hesitate to schedule your next visit with Smile On Us Dental.



No need to search online for 'Dentist Hollywood, FL' to see what treatment options are available to you. To learn more about the services we offer, simply visit our homepage or contact us here to set up an appointment today!