5 IMPORTANT THINGS YOUR DENTIST WANTS TO TELL YOU

There are probably a lot of things we have in mind, that we are dying to ask our dentist either to gather information or to get an explanation. But on the other side of the table, have you also wondered how many questions and/or comments your dentist has for you? Here are five (5) important things dentists want to say to us, patients, as they are working on our mouths:

Here are four (4) surprising benefits you get from brushing your teeth:

• You probably aren’t brushing enough – Most people brush for less than one minute – leaving more than half of the plaque from the night before still on their teeth. Brushing for the full two minutes ensures that all plaque is reached by the toothbrush.
• You can’t be healthy without a healthy mouth – Many assume that your mouth is an entirely separate thing when it comes to health, but, in reality, it is indicative of the health of the rest of your body. If your mouth is unhealthy, chances are the rest of your body isn’t healthy either.
• Take a closer look at your tongue – The tongue gives a lot of information regarding the health of the rest of the body. For example, if the tip of the tongue is red, it can be a sign of thyroid or heart problems; if the tongue has a yellow/green tint, it can mean liver or gallbladder problems. We often think of the mouth as simply the teeth and gums, but it is really a lot more than that.
• Bleeding gums are a red flag – It is common for gums to bleed a little bit after a good, long brushing or cleaning, but excessive gum bleeding can mean significant inflammation and infection that has potential to spread to the rest of your body.
• Oral cancer is one of the most deadly cancers – People don’t check for signs of oral cancer as much as they should, as it is one of the most deadly cancers. Signs of multiple, consistent lesions on the tongue or in the mouth. No matter how small they may be, say something to the dentist. It could end up saving your life.

Dentists are not the most likeable people in the world where dental anxiety reigns. But if you think it’s all fun and games for your doctor, think again. There are plenty of things that you’re doing-or not doing-that aren’t exactly making your dentist smile.