Dentists Have the Ability to Save Lives

Most people think of going to dentists to preserve their teeth and keep their smile beautiful, but few know that these professionals actually have the ability to save lives. Part of your regular dental screening involves screening for potentially life threatening diseases. Skipping your regular dental checkup is more than just cosmetically problematic - it could be life threatening.

Believe it or not, going to the dentist regularly can help prevent death from heart attack or stroke? Sound farfetched? Perhaps, but there is a direct link between gum disease and an individual's risk for heart disease. Calcified plaque on the carotid arteries seen through x-rays of the teeth and jawbone greatly increases an individual's risk of heart disease. Spotting this on a regular dental exam gives the patient the ability to see a medical doctor for a thorough heart checkup, thus preventing an untimely death due to something preventable.

To get the most benefit from your trip to the dentist, make sure that your dentist performs x-rays of the jaw. Ask the dentist to inspect the carotid arteries for plaque buildup. If it is present, schedule a thorough screening with a cardiologist to find out how you can start fighting heart disease before it becomes a life-threatening condition.

Dental professionals also screen for oral cancer. Often, oral cancer does not present symptoms a patient will notice until it has become very severe. After all, how much time to you spend fully inspecting your mouth? What you think feels like a canker sore could, in fact, be cancer developing, and you might not realize it until it has grown to a point that is highly difficult to treat. Trained and skilled dentists can spot problems before they become noticeable to patients, thus allowing them to get help for the patient before the cancer becomes life threatening.

If cost is a factor, consider looking for health insurance that covers trips to dentists. Because of these life-saving screening methods, many insurance providers are starting to offer this coverage option. It may be worthwhile to pay a little extra for it if it ensures you can spare your life from two leading killers: heart disease and cancer.

Of course, dentists also help patients live longer, healthier lives by preventing problems with the teeth, allowing them to enjoy a full gamut of healthy foods throughout their lives. This does not directly save lives, but it does improve the quality of life. Similarly, regular visits to the dentist can help preserve quality of life by eliminating common causes of tooth pain and keeping your teeth where they belong - in your mouth.

So the next time you are thinking visits to dentists are not necessary, or decide to skip a routine checkup to save a little time or money, think again. Visiting the dentist could very well save your life by showing you that you have a potentially deadly condition brewing under the surface. Waiting until the condition escalates and causes physical symptoms will likely be too late, so schedule your next checkup today and stay on the path to good oral and overall health.