A few weeks ago, we talked about putting good oral health, and therefore good overall health, on your list of New Year’s resolutions for 2012. Today, Urbandale dentist Dr. Jessica Lawson would like to reemphasize the importance of quality oral health, as well as share with you your options when it comes to your dental care.
The Importance of Quality Oral Health
As a family and comprehensive care dentist, Dr. Lawson has long understood the connection between oral and overall health. Recently, however, the topic has garnered media attention, and now people are starting to realize that regular dental checkups contribute not only to a healthy smile, but also to a healthy and high-quality life.
For example, research shows that severe gum disease can contribute to making the following very serious and threatening health problems hard to manage and control: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, various cancers, and stroke. On the same note, patients with diabetes often have difficulty controlling their blood sugar and healing following injuries, infections, and medical procedures, so it’s imperative their gum disease is controlled.
As you can see, evidence for the mouth/body connection theory exists, and Dr. Lawson wants to educate you so that you can do everything in your power to keep your mouth and body healthy for a lifetime.
What You Can Do
To make your oral and overall health a priority in 2012 and ultimately feel better about yourself, there are several things you can do.
- Keep up with regular checkups and medical appointments, whether it is with your dentist, regular physician, or health specialist. The American Dental Association recommends having a professional dental checkup and exam every six months, and it’s suggested that you should have a physical exam at least once a year.
- Take care of yourself at home. This includes maintaining a quality at-home dental hygiene routine (including brushing, flossing, and using an oral rinse), exercising regularly, eating healthy, taking all doctor-prescribed medications, and getting enough sleep.
- Achieve your goals. Goals vary from person to person and lifestyle to lifestyle, but make an effort to achieve your goals in the coming year. For many people, a goal can be focused on getting healthy. Dr. Lawson can help you achieve your smile goals, whether health-related or aesthetic. For example, if you’re tired of hiding your smile because you’re embarrassed by the yellow color and stains on your teeth, consider teeth whitening treatment. Dr. Lawson offers in-office and at-home teeth whitening, and she’s confident that your new bright, white smile will instantly make you feel better about yourself.
Overall, Dr. Lawson wants you to remember that you have options in 2012. To feel better about yourself this year, make your oral health a priority. To get started, call Lawson Family Dentistry, located in Urbandale, Iowa, at (515) 278-4366.
