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Your dental health affects your overall health in more ways than you can imagine. If you have even tiny inflammation in your gums, a cavity developing in a tooth, or gums that are becoming less pink and redder, then you could have an oral infection that could spread to other organs through your circulatory system.

Everything you eat and drink, and everything you do to maintain a healthy mouth, all contribute to your overall bodily health in general and your dental health in particular. Let’s talk about how regular dental appointments are key to maintaining a healthy body, and where you can go for outstanding dental care for the whole family right here in Plantation and Greater Fort Lauderdale.

How Can a Dentist Help Keep Me Healthy?

An experienced and skilled dentist can detect and help prevent any of the following dental health conditions at your regular dental visits:

Tooth Decay

Symptoms of tooth decay include bad breath, tooth pain, and difficulty in eating. When you visit your dentist to have these oral symptoms evaluated, the dentist will determine a diagnosis and provide you with the necessary treatment.

In the case of tooth decay, the treatment is usually to have a filling, a cap, or to have the tooth removed and replaced. If it is left untreated, the infection associated with the decay can cause erosion of oral tissue (such as the gums) and can even infect other tissues and organs.

Gum Disease

Mild inflammation of the gums, or gingivitis, can lead to periodontal disease if it is left untreated. This can cause bad breath, bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, and eventually tooth loss.

The following underlying health conditions can make a person particularly susceptible to developing gum disease:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Respiratory disease
• Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a dental health issue in which there is not enough saliva production. Saliva is needed for essential functions, such as keeping the mouth ready to consume food, preparing chewed food via enzymes to be ready to swallow easily, and keeping the teeth moist (which is necessary to prevent them from drying out). As we get older, we become more likely to develop dry mouth. 

Oral Cancer Detection

It is estimated that at least 85% of all neck and head cancers in the United States are caused by oral cancer. Your dentist will be able to find any unusual, slightly noticeable symptoms, such as small mouth lesions – which can be indicative of oral cancer. The sooner it is caught, the more treatable it is.

Dental Health in Plantation, FL

Here at the dental offices of Dr. Ernie Soto, we are here to help you and your whole family have healthy, beautiful teeth for a lifetime. We offer cosmetic dental services, Invisalign, dental implants, caps, and orthodontics, as well as IV sedation for each visit if you prefer.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Soto, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (954) 368-6264 or by filling out our convenient appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your dental healthcare partner!