What are the critical questions patients should ask their dentist, but don’t?

A healthy and attractive smile is believed to be one of the top features that people notice when they’re making a first impression about someone. That’s part of why it’s important to maintain well kept teeth.

As the number of people seeking cosmetic dental treatments increases, dentists need to place emphasis on educating people regarding the pros and cons of their options.

Aging teeth

The physical and aesthetic attributes of aged teeth are visibly identifiable.
Bonding and adhesive ceramic restorative procedures have the potential of reversing the aesthetic manifestations of the aging process for teeth.

Cosmetic dental treatments can range from teeth whitening, veneers, and gum treatments to complete smile reconstructions.
Although cosmetic treatments improve one’s looks and enhance their confidence, they may also lead to major health issues if done incorrectly.

Poor oral hygiene is one of the main causes of periodontal disease or gingival inflammation, which is identifiable by bad breath.

The health risks

Improper dental treatments contribute vastly to major health issues such as heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases. Multiple scientific research studies have concluded that there is a direct link between periodontal diseases and cardiovascular diseases.

Periodontal disease may also affect the respiratory system.

A previous study concluded that maintaining optimal periodontal health may contribute to a healthy respiratory system, according to research published in the Journal of Periodontology.

There are some new studies that suggest periodontal disease may increase the risk for respiratory infections, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia.

These infections, which are caused when bacteria from the upper throat are inhaled into the lower respiratory tract, can be severely debilitating and are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S.

Other studies have linked oral bacteria with gastrointestinal diseases.

Oral bacteria spreading through the body have been associated with a number of systemic diseases. The gut is no exception. Studies in animals and humans have indicated that oral bacteria can translocate to the gut and change its microbiota, which could be cancerous.

The role of a dentist

It is the duty of dentists to inform their patients and people in general about the various dental treatments and the consequences if done incorrectly.

After all, a proper dentist should provide a holistic treatment rather than a quick and simple service.

Dr.Karrar Albahar is one of the leading Cosmetic dentists and dental implantologist. As a cosmetic dentist he aims at providing high quality dental procedures and he aspires to educate his patients and raise awareness among people about the importance of wisely selecting the correct treatment plan for successful , healthy , and esthetically pleasing dental treatments.