Franklin, TN
In today’s world, everyone is busy and technology makes it too easy to back out of commitments or cancel appointments with a simple click. Canceling or rescheduling a friend’s night is one thing, but canceling on your health is another. You may feel like you’re too busy or your work schedule isn’t flexible but take it from a dentist, skipping or canceling dental appointments does more harm than good. Today on the blog, our Franklin family dentist at Lee Palmer, DDS, shares four reasons not to cancel your dental appointments.
Dental cleanings have a purpose, and it’s for more than you think
A lot of people live by the mentality that if it’s not broken, it doesn’t need fixing. But that’s a terrible outlook to have on your health, including your mouth. The purpose of a dental cleaning is to remove tartar buildup, which is a hard substance that accumulates in everyone’s mouth. If you don’t brush and floss regularly though, you’ll accumulate more tartar than someone who takes better care of their teeth and gums, although some amount of tartar cannot be avoided. Excessive tartar buildup that is left in your mouth for too long can lead to cavities and gum disease, plus it is difficult to maintain fresh breath because the buildup harbors oral bacteria that are responsible for oral diseases and decay. The general recommendation is that everyone receive a dental cleaning twice a year. Maintaining a healthy mouth means a lower risk of systemic inflammation, which can lead to heart disease, insulin resistance, and Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, a clean mouth is about more than just your breath.
You might have a problem that you don’t see or feel
Dental cleanings and exams are necessary to prevent extensive damage and invasive procedures. Cavities and gum disease usually do not present with noticeable symptoms like pain until the later stages. At that point, the damage is too far gone to repair and an extraction and tooth replacement may be your only option. Mild to moderate levels of decay can be treated with fillings, rather than a crown or an extraction. And early stages of gum disease can be managed with the help of a dentist and proper at-home care. Therefore, we recommend taking care of dental problems as soon as they arise rather than waiting until you have a full-blown problem on your hands.
It could take weeks to months to reschedule your appointment
Depending on the type of appointment that you need, it could take weeks or months to reschedule. This is especially true for dental hygiene appointments. Therefore, we recommend sticking to your appointment, especially if you have a problem to discuss with the dentist.
Preventive care is the best “medicine”
As once said by a respectable man, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This credo rings true for many aspects of life, especially health. Preventing diseases almost always results in a favorable outcome and saves time and money in the long run. Some say that it’s hard always remembering to floss, sticking to their appointments, and finding time for self-care. But it’s also hard recovering from extensive oral surgery or undergoing oral cancer care. But the truth is that you must make time for your health now or later. And we think that taking time now has better payoffs than waiting until later.
Best Dentist in Franklin and Thompson Station, Tennessee
Daily oral hygiene and routine dental checkups and cleanings are paramount to a healthy smile, which has an even greater impact on overall health. So, think twice before canceling your dental appointments! If you’d like to learn more ways to maintain your oral health or are ready to schedule an appointment with one of the best dentists in Franklin, call Lee Palmer, DDS, at (615) 794-0756.