By KELLY M. DAINIAK, DMD, GENERAL DENTIST
Your mouth and teeth are important to maintain as you age. The mouth is the beginning of the digestive system, and it’s essential for communication and for keeping you alive through eating. Over the years, the mouth and teeth take a beating. If you’re fortunate enough to still have your teeth, now is the time to pay attention. Ask yourself these questions:
. When was the last time you had an oral health exam?
. When was the last time you had a dental cleaning?
. Do you have any pain in your mouth or teeth?
. Is it harder to chew food now than it was years ago?
. Do you notice a foul odor, or halitosis?
. Have your teeth started to shift, making them more difficult to clean?
. Are your teeth breaking when you chew?
. Do you chew on both sides of your mouth?
. Do you have a dry mouth, or xerostomia?
. Do you wake up with headaches in the morning?
. Have your medications changed in the last few months?
I could go on. There are many things a competent dentist will look for during a thorough dental examination. Dental problems that are found can be treated. A good dentist will perform an extraoral and intraoral examination, a periodontal examination, a full series of radiographs, intraoral photographs, and/or a 3-D scan, then determine the correct treatment based on the findings.
Delaying dental treatment can lead to infection; swelling (when infection spreads into the bone and adjacent muscles); loss of tooth structure; loss of teeth; uncontrolled diabetes; worsening heart disease; greater risk of stroke and heart attack; difficulty staying nourished (a healthy mouth allows for a wider variety of foods); and insecurity when speaking to others due to missing teeth.
Dr. Dainiak is a Residency-Trained General Dentist who has practiced patient-centered care in Southwest Florida for the past 25 years.
239-992-0325
www.premierdentalstudio.com
20321 Grande Oak Shoppes Blvd.
Suite 316 | Estero, FL 33928