Some VIP Information from Your Charlottesville Dentist

There’s a lot of information that’s important for my patients know. That’s why I try to educate them about their oral health at every visit. But there are some “VIPs,” or “very important points,” that I want to make sure everyone who visits my dental office in Charlottesville understands, learns, and follows.

Nothing Looks Wrong, Nothing Feels Wrong, Everything’s Good, Right?

Wrong. It’s a common misconception that you can skip dental appointments if your teeth look good and nothing hurts. In fact, there are so many oral health problems that don’t hurt at all, or have any symptoms, but are really serious. One danger that could be lurking in your mouth without you even knowing it is oral cancer. This disease is so serious that every hour of every day, one person in the U.S. dies from it. While this is a scary fact, the disease doesn’t have to be so scary. If it’s caught early, it’s easily treatable. This is one reason, of many, that regularly scheduled checkups at my Charlottesville dental office is so important.

Keeping Your Mouth Healthy Keeps Your Body Healthy

A healthy mouth can literally mean that your body is healthy too. On the other hand, if you have dental problems or disease, your body can also suffer. Gum disease, for example, is directly linked to your overall health. In addition to causing tooth loss, gum disease has also been linked to heart disease, strokes, dementia, and a whole lot more. If caught in the early stage, gum disease can be treated and reversed. Daily brushing, flossing, and visiting your Charlottesville dentist regularly is the best way to prevent gum disease and protect your mouth, and your body.

Your Gums Should Never Bleed

Many people think that it’s normal for gums to bleed while brushing or flossing. The truth is, healthy gums don’t bleed unless they’re damaged in an injury. Simply brushing and flossing should never cause your gums to bleed. If they do, it’s a sure sign that your mouth is trying to tell you something’s not right. Bleeding gums is a sign of gum disease, and should be a trigger to schedule an appointment as soon as you can. If an exam shows that you don’t have gum disease, your hygiene routine may be inadequate, and gum disease isn’t far away. In fact, research shows that healthy gums can become diseased gums within 24-36 hours of improper brushing or care.

We’ve only begun to touch on some of the “VIPs” that all of us at my Charlottesville dental office want to make sure our patients know. We’re full of useful information that can help get and keep you healthy. If you have questions about your oral health, want to learn more about our “VIPs,” or need to schedule a checkup or treatment, give us a call today!

Serving patients in Charlottesville, Earlysville, and Ruckersville.

About The Author

Dr. Jack T. Kayton

Dr. Jack T. Kayton has served families in Charlottesville and surrounding areas since 1994 through his general and family dentistry private practice. Believing that everyone deserves quality dental care, he donates his time to worthy causes. He volunteers at the Donated Dental Service and the Charlottesville Free Clinic. His professional affiliations include the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Academy of General Dentistry, among others.

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