It's important to stay on top of your oral health, as you could be susceptible to a lot of conditions if bacteria makes its way into your bloodstream through your bleeding gums. Unfortunately, a significant number of children from ages 5-19 have untreated dental caries (13.2%) and a larger percentage of adults from ages 20-64 are in the same situation (25%), according to the CDC. Here are three reasons why you should set up an appointment with one of your local family dentists.

1. Dentists Can Catch Things Early

If you go regularly for preventative dental care appointments, there's a good chance that any gum disease you might have will not have progressed much. The dentist will catch them early and show you how to brush and floss properly so that the condition can be reversed. If you wait too long, then you run the risk of having it progress to a point where it can't be reversed and you might need dental surgery.

2. You Can Save Money

While you might not want to have to pay for these dental visits, it can be a lot more expensive if you need to have teeth replaced with things like a dental implant or dentures. The money you supposedly save in the short run could wind up being a much larger hit on your bank account later on.

3. Dentists Can Identify Potentially Life-Threatening Diseases

Though the chances of your getting these diseases depend on a lot of factors, it's still important that one of your family dentists looks regularly at your mouth. They check for any changes that might indicate the possibility of oral cancer. If it does turn out that they find signs of a deeper issue, it should be early enough to hopefully treat it.

While you might think that you can just brush and floss without having to see the dentist, you can miss spots. Also, some signs of gum disease aren't immediately noticeable. Dentists are trained to spot early signs of oral diseases and effectively treat them.

Your mouth is literally a gateway to your overall health. It's important to take care of your teeth and gums, especially as an adult. By doing so, you improve your chances of enjoying life without any tooth discomfort or pain. Are you looking for family dentists near you? Contact Borealis Dental Studio today!