Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that your teeth have a great deal in common with your car? Probably not, but we certainly have. Dr. Todd Pizzi, a dentist at Modern Dentistry of Shrewsbury, shares some of the most notable similarities between the two, encouraging patients to be proactive about their oral health by scheduling twice-yearly dental checkups in Shrewsbury, MA. By the way, you can admire the beauty of a well-maintained car at an upcoming Shrewsbury Market Motor Menders Rod and Custom Club cruise night, held on the fourth Friday of every month.
A Few Interesting Similarities…
Tune-ups, oil changes, and state inspections require very little time or money, but that doesn’t make them any less important. If a problem develops at some point between these services, your best bet is to return to your mechanic as soon as you are able; otherwise, even the most well-made or expensive vehicle will inevitably leave you stranded on the side of the road. Add the fees for hiring a tow truck, replacing various parts, and time lost from work, and you’ve got a pricey problem.
Teeth that haven’t been properly cared for won’t leave you alone at night on a strange road, but that doesn’t mean they won’t abandon you or cause you pain. What might begin as sensitivity in one tooth could be the beginning of an underlying dental problem that could spread to your gums and your other teeth. Gum disease, an infection that ravages the gums and jawbone, is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults.
Unfortunately, driving a poorly maintained vehicle dramatically increases your risk of being injured or worse in an accident. The same is true of your oral health. Oral cancer claims a life every hour of every day, with a death rate higher than that of cervical, testicular, and skin cancer. This unsettling fact can be attributed to the tendency to overlook symptoms, many of which are virtually impossible to detect by an untrained eye, leading to a late diagnosis. Oral cancer screening is an important part of your dental exam, one that could very well save your life. A guide to self-exams can be found here, compliments of the 15-40 Connection.
…With One Major Difference
It’s important to note that some aspects of owning a car are much different from caring for your teeth. What happens when your vehicle no longer drives? You simply trade it in, sell it off, and buy a new car. You can opt for an almost identical car, or you can upgrade as you see fit. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of your teeth. Once you’ve lost your permanent teeth, there’s no going back. Dental implants, dentures, and bridges are available, but by no means do they compare to your natural teeth; of the three, however dental implants are most similar.
Could your teeth use a tune-up? For questions about preventive dental care in Shrewsbury, MA, or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, contact us at (508) 842-8838. We welcome patients living in Shrewsbury, North and South Grafton, Millbury, Hopkinton, and the neighboring communities. For info on our Stoughton location, click here.
