How Poor Oral Health Can Cost You Dearly (Financially And Your Overall Well-Being)
The idea of going to a dentist is undesirable, even scary for most of us. The mere thought of that needle or sound of the dental drill is the stuff of nightmares!!! However, for a majority of people, it’s their financial limitations that hold them back from visiting a dentist. A study reports that almost 80% of Americans deliberately delay their dental care due to various reasons, resulting in aggravation of their problems.
But how many of us understand the repercussions of doing so?
Needless to say, a dental cavity can turn into a full-blown infection causing severe pain, pus discharge, abcess, and similar problems and gum bleeding can turn into serious periodontal problems similarly if left untreated. This neglect can not only surmount to serious suffering but can also prove to be heavy on your pocket.
A cavity that can be restored with a simple dental filling may require complex procedures like Root Canal Treatments and crown or even extraction of the teeth followed by implants, which require more time and might cost you up to 10 to 50 times extra!! If only, you had gone to the dentist earlier!!
The consequences of poor dental health go beyond just “bad teeth”. It affects your overall health and well-being, costs you precious work hours, and may culminate in serious emergencies.
Most of us believe “Dental problems can not really turn serious, so why should I bother?”. Contrary to this popular belief, the American Dental Association reported that 2.1 million people visited the emergency room in 2010, because of dental emergencies. Conditions like space infections, cellulitis, Ludwig’s angina, etc. occur as a result of dental infections and may potentially turn into life-threatening medical situations, if unchecked.
However, most dental emergencies can be prevented if dealt with during the initial stages.
So, what should you do?
You already know the answer!!
Maintenance of good oral hygiene is the first step to wholesome oral health. The importance of religiously following a strict oral hygiene regime of brushing twice daily cannot be overemphasized. Regular flossing after meals and mouth-washing is a must. However, excessive usage of over-the-counter mouthwashes may cause dryness of mouth, so must be used under the supervision of your dentist.
The next step is the maintenance of a good diet. A balanced diet free of refined carbohydrates or sticky cariogenic food is not only good for your teeth but also for your overall fitness. The more fibers you take, the cleaner will be your teeth due to their self-cleansing actions.
Drinking enough water round-the-clock helps you keep your oral cavity hydrated and reduces bad breath.
Lastly, routine dental visits for assessment will help your dentist detect any oral or dental issues in its nascent stages. Early treatment will help you avoid a lot of trouble in the future. Regular dental cleanings also play a paramount role in the prevention of gum problems and keeping periodontal diseases at bay, hence must be availed.
That’s why they rightly say:
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
