Springfield MO – “With the economy still uncertain, many people are cutting back on expenses,” observes Springfield MO cosmetic dentist Dr. Kelly Barnett. “But dental appointments aren’t one of the things you should cut back on. It’s easy to find excuses not to spend the time and money on a visit to the dentist. But that’s short-term thinking. If the dentist or dental hygienist can detect a problem in the earliest stages, it is easier and much less expensive to treat.” Prevention is certainly the “key” to long term dental health.
“Many serious dental issues can be prevented or successfully treated if they are detected early,” notes Springfield MO implant dentist, Dr. Tracy Davis. “Oral cancer, decay, abscesses, gum infections, tooth wear, and enamel erosion are all more easily and successfully treated in the earlier stages.” Dental problems can become more serious, and more costly to correct, if left untreated. For instance, a small cavity that is not restored can grow and silently spread to the nerve, which would cause an infection or abscess. Only then does the tooth starts hurting or become symptomatic.
Most patients don’t even realize they have a cavity or dental problem until they experience pain. Now, instead of a simple filling, this tooth infection would require more extensive and costly treatment. The expense of a root canal can be avoided if the decay is removed before it “hits” the tooth’s nerve. “Please don’t wait until something hurts” warns Dr. Marc Barnett, a Springfield MO dentistry specialist. “By the time a patient experiences pain or other obvious symptoms, the dental problem is usually much more serious and more complex to treat.”
The dentists from the Springfield MO teeth whitening clinic note that a healthy mouth is essential to a healthy body. Infections that start in the mouth have the potential to spread anywhere and could cause problems all over your body. Scientific research indicates a link between gum disease and many other overall health problems including: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, premature births and many more.
A trip to the dentist not only can help you have a healthy mouth, but it can also improve your overall health. Many times, dentists are the first health professionals to notice changes in a patient’s physical condition. For instance, diabetics are much more prone to gum disease because of their ability to fight infections is compromised. “We see this connection every day in our Springfield MO dentistry office,” says Dr. Kelly Barnett. “I recently examined a patient for his regular check-up visit. During the last six months, he had developed a serious gum infection. This and some unexplained weight loss led us to recommend that he visit his physician. Sure enough, he had undetected diabetes”.
Other health issues that can be detected at a dental visit include: acid reflux and gastroenterological diseases (patients are much more prone to decay), some auto-immune disorders (the soft tissue in the mouth and salivary glands can be affected), liver diseases (the soft tissue in the mouth is jaundiced) and many more.
“Regular dental visits can help identify and prevent many conditions,” says Dr. Tracy Davis, a Springfield MO dentistry specialist. “But we can’t help if you don’t visit.”
Learn More
To learn more about the Springfield MO cosmetic dentists of the Barnett-Davis Dental Group, visit http://www.barnettdavisdental.com or call (417) 581-3600.
About the Barnett-Davis Dental Group
Located in the Springfield MO area, Drs. Barnett and Davis practice cosmetic dentistry as well as a full range of general dentistry – everything from implant dentistry to preventive dental care to veneers to the full range of cosmetic dentistry. They want their patients’ beautiful smiles to last for a lifetime. The Springfield MO dentists at Barnett-Davis Dental Group employ the latest technological advances to improve their patients’ level of comfort and the accuracy of diagnosis and preventive treatments.
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