Don’t Let Dental Infections Catch You Unaware

Posted on: February 27, 2017

General Dentist Mission Viejo, CAThe key to having a healthy mouth and great teeth is consistency. The more consistent one is with regular dental visits, coming in at least twice a year for cleaning and examinations, the less likely one is to have oral health problems. Unfortunately, another fact about general dentistry is that most people put off visiting the dentist and many people do not even come in once a year. This leads to additional and completely preventable problems.

The consequences are not worth skipping appointments

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 27 percent of all Americans suffer from untreated cavities and decay. Considering how easy it is to keep cavities and decay at bay with regular cleaning, it becomes more apparent why dentists keep telling patients to come in regularly for these services. In addition to the fact that more than 1 in 5 people have cavities needing treatment, while 14 percent of adults across the United States believe that the condition of their oral health is “poor” or “bad.”

We can prevent even the serious problems with general dentistry but cannot help people unless they walk through the door. Therefore, educating people and spreading the word about good oral health and hygiene are our top priorities. Unfortunately, there has been a downturn over the last decade or so in the number of people who make it a priority to visit the dentist at least once a year. Measuring the frequency of a person’s visits by the year, we hope to see two visits but are satisfied if there is at least one. In the years between 2002 and 2012, the percentage of people who visited a dentist in 12 months dropped from 44.5 percent to 42 percent.

If you have been on the fence about seeing the dentist, there are many reasons you should consider coming in. Here are some that are not often spoken about, even in general dentistry.

Oral cancer screenings with general cleanings

A common reason that people need to consider visiting a dentist at least once every six months is the addition of oral cancer screenings. In general dentistry, it is much easier to detect oral cancer during a routine examination. Lesions that may appear on the mouth, tongue, and throat are often a giveaway that further investigation is warranted. If we are able to catch a condition like cancer early, we have a much better opportunity to help you fight it and win.

However, oral cancer is not the only condition that first manifests in the mouth. There are a number of viral and bacterial infections with symptoms originating in the mouth, often before anywhere else. This is because the mouth provides an excellent snapshot of the overall condition of the body, telling us everything from vitamin deficiency to whether or not one is drinking enough fluids during the day.

For more information or to schedule a general cleaning, give us a call. We can help keep your teeth healthy and prevent the spread of infections.

General Dentist

We offer general dentist services including professional examinations and cleanings. While oral hygiene at home can help, we can identify and eliminate any early traces of decay before they spread.

General Dentist

Ballou Dental Arts

At Ballou Dental Arts in Mission Viejo, we work to customize your treatment to match your needs and schedule where possible. Our professional staff aims to create a calm atmosphere for you during the appointment and treatment process. We will identify any dental issues you are struggling with and work with you to find the solution that works best for you.

Our staff seeks to create a comforting environment at the office to ease patients into the procedure. We can help prevent damage to your teeth and set you on track for a lifetime of quality oral health. At Ballou Dental Arts, your dental health is our prime concern.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist Mission Viejo.


Related Posts

March 27, 2017

Visiting A General Dentist Can Keep Your Teeth Healthy

By visiting a general dentist on a regular basis, you can help keep your days fun and free of dental infection. General DentistWe offer general dentist services including professional examinations and cleanings. While oral hygiene at …

January 15, 2016

As a General Dentist We Treat Athletes That Have Injured Their Teeth

If you are an athlete, a trip to the general dentist is in order before you start the game.  According to the American Dental Association, the majority of adult tooth injuries are due to playing …

October 2, 2015

As a General Dentist , We Debunk Common Oral Health Myths

As a local general dentist, we are asked many questions about oral health. We welcome these conversations because it gives us the opportunity to provide you with information about how to keep your teeth and …

May 3, 2017

Knowledge Is Power! Take Proper Care Of Your Teeth

When it comes to oral hygiene, knowledge is a crucial component. A dental office can help you know what you need to know Dental OfficeOur dental office provides the treatment patients need, while in a comfortable …


” />