Advertisement

8 reasons you shouldn’t avoid the dentist

Modern dental care is all about prevention and comfort.

Updated on November 26, 2024

happy older woman in dentist chair looking in mirror
1 / 9

There are many reasons a person might not visit the dentist. Maybe they think that brushing their teeth is enough to maintain oral health. Maybe they have bad memories of a previous trip. Maybe they don’t have dental coverage. Maybe they just forgot.

But if you are able, it’s important to check in regularly with your friendly neighborhood dentist. Not only do dentistsShow More

An Image
2 / 9
Avoid Major Dental Work

With regular checkups, your dentist can spot early signs of decay at a stage when the damage can usually be reversed. This can help you avoid more complex dental work, including the drill. 

“When it comes to cavities, it’s not an all or nothing situation,” says Fotinos Panagakos, DMD, aShow More

adult and child holding heart in hands
3 / 9
Protect Your Heart

Research increasingly shows a link between gum disease and serious health concerns like heart disease and stroke, says Jonathan B. Levine, DMD, an aesthetic dentist in New York City. Gum disease acts like a messenger that arrives ahead of other types of inflammation in the body. "What we've come toShow More

man in dentist chair smiling
4 / 9
Keep Sugars in Check

The relationship between diabetes and periodontal (gum) disease works both ways, says Dr. Panagakos. “If someone has diabetes, periodontal disease can add to the challenge of controlling blood glucose levels, and if you have poor glucose control, it can predispose you to developing gum disease,” heShow More

An Image
5 / 9
Beat Cancer

Many people know about screenings like mammograms, colonoscopies, and Pap smears to detect cancer, but many are surprised to learn that dentists provide an important cancer screening, too. When a dentist looks all around your mouth and asks you to stick out your tongue, they are looking for signsShow More

child and dentist high-fiving
6 / 9
Feel Calm and in Control

If a bad experience years ago is keeping you away, you’ll be happy to hear that many dentists are now more focused on patient comfort. Dentists can prescribe a mild sedative that makes your appointment seem quick and easy, and new laser dentistry is virtually pain-free. 

“The biggest singleShow More

older woman taking pill
7 / 9
Treat Dry Mouth

Regular checkups are especially important if you’re taking a medication that causes dry mouth as a side effect, says Dr. Wolff. “Saliva helps prevent tooth decay because it’s a source of natural remineralization,” he says. Antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants are commonShow More

young man smiling broadly
8 / 9
Get Completely Clean

When it comes to at-home oral care, you’re an A+ student. You brush twice a day for two minutes and follow it up with a meticulous flossing that would make your dentist beam with pride. So, you don’t really need a professional cleaning, right? Not so fast. No matter how well you clean your teeth atShow More

An Image
9 / 9
Reduce Stains

Grocery stores and pharmacies carry several kinds of over-the-counter (OTC) teeth whitening strips, toothpastes, and rinses, but you’re likely to get the best result from a whitening treatment at the dentist, says Dr. Levine. “The results you can get in a professional office can be very hard toShow More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

American Dental Association. Home Oral Care. August 8, 2024.
Harvard Health Publishing. Gum disease and the connection to heart disease. October 8, 2024.
American Heart Association. Gum disease, inflammation, hardened arteries may be linked to stroke risk. February 12, 2020.
American Diabetes Association. Diabetes and Gum Disease. Accessed November 26, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 2 Diabetes. May 15, 2024.
Mayo Clinic. Oral cancer screening. November 15, 2023.
Harvard Health Publishing. Drills, needles, and pain, oh my! Coping with dental anxiety. December 18, 2019.
American Academy of Oral Medicine. Dry Mouth. October 15, 2015.
Cleveland Clinic. Dental Cleaning. January 13, 2023.
American Dental Association. Whitening. August 16, 2022.

More On

5 health issues linked to oral hygiene

video

5 health issues linked to oral hygiene
Practicing good oral hygiene is an important part of staying healthy.
Teeth whitening tips and secrets

article

Teeth whitening tips and secrets
Get the gleaming smile you want with these safe, convenient options.
7 worst foods and drinks for your teeth

slideshow

7 worst foods and drinks for your teeth
Find out which ones can contribute to tooth enamel loss.
Why yogurt is good for your gums

video

Why yogurt is good for your gums
Want healthy gums? Load up on yogurt! In this Health Smarts video, Robin Miller, MD, explains how probiotics in yogurt help prevent gum disease for be...
What Can I Do to Relieve Dry Mouth?

video

What Can I Do to Relieve Dry Mouth?
To relieve symptoms of dry mouth, you want to take things that make you salivate: some peppermint oil, vinegar, or even lemon/lime juice. In this vide...