UF Students: 15 Lifelong Benefits of Actually Going to the Dentist as a Young Adult
The life of a college student can be stressful. Between classes, deadlines, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs and juggling free time spent with friends and family, it can be challenging for students to take care of their oral health. With such a packed schedule, something as simple as regular dental checkups can fall by the wayside. Taking care of dental health is important, especially for young adults, as doing so can yield some lifelong benefits. Here are 15 reasons why college students should make it a point to schedule regular visits to their dentist.
1. Learn Good Dental Habits
Our young adult years are when we develop habits that can last a lifetime. Neglecting your dental health at this point of your life likely means that you will continue to put it on the back-burner. Life only gets more hectic after college, after all. Maintaining regular dentist visits during your youth ensures that you continue the good oral habits your family imparted to you as a youngster. Your dentist, upon assessing your teeth and gums, can advise on your daily dental routine, provide information on correct brushing and flossing techniques, and habits to avoid. One skill you should definitely learn from your dentist is how to floss properly. According to dentist Andrew Swiatowicz, proper flossing is a large contributor to good dental health. Not flossing means not cleaning 40 percent of your teeth’s surfaces.
2. Prevent Cavities and Tooth Decay
Regular brushing and flossing as well as good dental habits aren’t enough to care for your teeth and gums. A survey by the National Center for Health Statistics revealed that nearly a third of adults aged 20–44 have untreated cavities. This is because the buildup of tartar can lead to cavities and tooth decay, and only a professional cleaning can remove those safely. As DentalPlans.com puts it, “Even people who are super-dedicated to good oral hygiene will inevitably miss a bit of plaque here and there, which can harden into tartar.” During your regular checkup, your dentist can do a thorough cleaning of your teeth, and remove any tartar and plaque. This reduces your risk for cavities and tooth decay.
3. Prevent Gum Disease
Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria has seeped in your gums, causing inflammation and infection. Many adults lose their teeth due to gum disease, according to the American Dental Association. Gum disease is often a result of bad dental habits such as not brushing your teeth correctly, not flossing and not visiting the dentist. As gum disease is painless, it is difficult for people to self-diagnose. However, a dentist can spot the signs and provide treatment. Gum disease occurs in stages, and the more advanced it is, the more severe the effects. If you visit your dentist regularly, it can be caught in the early stage called gingivitis when it is still reversible.
14. Save Money in the Long Run
Corrective dental work can be costly, and as with most other health issues, prevention is better than cure when it comes to your teeth and gums. Regular cleaning and dental examinations can prevent tooth loss, gum disease and other dental problems. A little time and money spent today can save you hundreds or thousands in future dental bills if you have to deal with decaying teeth, bleeding gums or the need for dental surgery.
15. Increased Self-Confidence
Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. Having a bright smile and healthy teeth and gums can do wonders for your self-esteem and confidence. As Dr. Gordon Rye writes at Your Dental Health Resource: “People often feel the need to hide their smiles when missing teeth, stains, or crooked teeth are apparent. … People who have their best smile are more confident, less anxious, and enjoy life more.” Images by: Allef Vinicius, Tanja Heffner, StockSnap, vilandrra
