Alvin H. Danenberg, DDS • Nutritional Periodontist
June 2, 2016 [printfriendly]
Have you ever heard any of these statements?
- “It’s worse than pulling teeth.”
- “I’d rather give birth to a child.”
Both statements compare painful events to the experience of going to a dentist. The thought of discomfort and visiting a dentist seems to go hand in hand. Frequently, going to the dentist has been viewed as an unpleasant experience. Pain and dentistry seem to be symbolically synonymous.
Actually, it doesn’t have to be that way in today’s world. Visiting the dental office does not have to be an uncomfortable experience. Certainly, pain in the mouth can be very significant and memorable. Yet, taking care of your mouth can prevent these horrors. You might even find out that going to the dentist could have huge benefits.
7 Huge Inducements to Visit Your Dentist
- To make your smile prettier and/or sexier
- To have your teeth whitened
- To have your teeth cleaned
- To help you enjoy and chew your food better
- To have a comprehensive dental exam including an oral cancer screening
- To make sure you don’t have tooth decay or gum infection
- To fix an immediate problem you believe you have (i.e. pain, mouth sores, broken tooth, swelling, bleeding, loose tooth, bad breath)
Any and all of these reasons make sense. They could be huge for you. Any and all can make you feel better.
The health of your mouth is important not only physically but also emotionally. It is important for you to be able to laugh, to speak easily and comfortably, and to be proud of your smile. Your mouth, your smile, and your breath affect you in business and in all social encounters. In fact, the health of your mouth actually mirrors the health of your body.
Healthy Body = Healthy Mouth
So, how do you keep your body healthy and in turn keep your mouth healthy?
Our primal ancestors (and today’s traditional societies) hardly ever had (or have) dental decay or gum disease. Eating nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods and leading a healthy lifestyle go a long way in keeping your body healthy throughout your life. Quality of life is a direct result of how you respect your body through nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress reduction. A healthy body equals a healthy mouth.
I often write about my 4 Pillars of Health. I also recently wrote two articles that identify what’s wrong with dentistry and how a dental office could educate its patients of the biological causes of dental disease. HERE. HERE.
Have a proactive mindset when you visit your dentist and dental hygienist, but be sure they are on the same page as I have described in my article I wrote HERE.
Be positive. Ask questions. Get the results you deserve.
