The impact of dental fear and anxiety on dental health:
The impact of dental fear and dental anxiety on dental health can be enormous. Avoiding preventive professional dental care, such as routine cleanings and exams, can cause a tremendous impact on your finances and the health and longevity of your teeth.
The most common consequence of avoiding the dentist is the development of gum disease (periodontal disease). Periodontal disease in simple terms is the process of losing supporting structure of bone and gum tissue around teeth. Periodontal disease is the most common cause of losing teeth as the process of periodontal teeth is usually generalized affecting all of the teeth in the mouth.
The most common cause is not getting regular professional cleanings.
The second most common consequence of avoiding the dentist is dental cavities and extensive decay of teeth requiring root canals or removal of teeth when teeth are so decayed that they become unsolvable. Root canals and crowns are much more expensive than routine dental filling procedures that can be performed if the cavities are detected early.
In summary, the consequences of avoiding the dentist due to dental fear and dental anxiety and the impact on dental health can include:
- Development of gum disease “periodontal disease”
- Development of rampant decay and cavities
- Increase the need for more expensive dental procedures
- Early loss of teeth
- Pain and discomfort
The impact of dental fear and anxiety on overall health
The impact of dental fear and dental anxiety on general health is tremendous as dental disease is linked to many systemic conditions.
Gum disease “periodontal disease” can be a consequence of avoiding visiting the dentist. Periodontal disease has been associated with several systemic and cardiovascular conditions.
The inflammatory process of periodontal disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, immunity and pregnancy problems.
Decay and cavities can cause teeth infections and if ignored these infections can become systemic infections threatening your entire health. Examples of systemic infections that are commonly caused by teeth decay and cavities include cellulitis and Ludwig’s Angina which can be life threatening condition if untreated.