Seeking dental treatment can be frightening for many people, particularly for children. As many people now, sometimes children and even adults need to be sedated for dental procedures. But being sedated is not as frightening as many think, and a practiced dentist will help to make sure that the process of being sedated is as stress free as possible. Being sedated can often even be avoided with proper dental hygiene and care. A family dentist can teach children form the very beginning the ins and outs of dental hygiene and regular visits to the dentist can help to maintain dental health as well as diagnose and treat any already existing problems.
Unfortunately, not nearly enough people take care of their teeth and gums. In fact, around 75% of people don’t even replace their toothbrushes as often as is necessary and the majority of people in the United States will wait up to three years between visits to a dentist when it is recommended that everyone go to a dentist at least twice a year, perhaps more if significant dental work needs to be performed. Not only does going to a dentist help to prevent and treat periodontal disease, which nearly half of all American adults over the age of thirty suffer to from some degree, but it can actually also help with the appearance of whiter teeth. Untreated cavities are also a problem that is common among American adults. In fact, one out of every five adults, or around twenty percent, suffer from at least one untreated cavity.
A regular dental visit is particularly important for children, who often do not know the ins and outs of proper dental care. For example, the American Dental Association (or ADA) recommends that every person brush their teeth twice a day. However, most children cannot thoroughly brush their own teeth until they are at least around ten years of age. Until then, they require help in making sure that their teeth are cleaning thoroughly. This means that not only does the child need to be educated from the beginning on the importance of healthy teeth, but so does the parent or caretaker of the child. As nearly one hundred million people in the United States alone do not regularly go to the dentist, this is often problematic.
Going to see a dentist can have a profound impact on your teeth as well as your education on dental hygiene. Even performing simple tasks like brushing your teeth twice a day can cut down on the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. The amount of untreated cavities among adults in the United States is worrisome, but a visit to a dentist can help to treat issues regarding dental disease and tooth decay, and if you must be sedated for the procedure, the dentist will make sure that the experience of being sedated is as comfortable and anxiety free as possible.
