Going to visit the dentist may not be your favorite activity - in fact, many people report that they dread the dentist more than any other routine check-ups - but it is a necessity that can not and should not be avoided. There are many benefits to visiting the dentist, both obvious and subtle ones. While you might currently be experiencing no dental problems, preventative check-ups that can screen for future problems as well as repair minor issues before they become major hassles are well worth any discomfort you might experience.

1. Avoid tooth loss: This is often the primary benefit of visiting the dentist. No one wants a gap in their smile, or to have to have a partial or total dental bridge put in their mouth because a tooth went bad and was unable to be salvaged. Having a regular check-up with a good dentist ensures that someone with the expertise to prevent tooth loss is evaluating your teeth and making minor repairs that prevent a major event.
2. Prevent gum disease: Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults, resulting in the early stages of gingivitis and later stages of periodontitis. A good dentist and their dental hygiene staff will work to clean and remove plaque from your teeth that can cause gingivitis and periodontitis. They will teach you that symptoms of these diseases are puffy gums, redness around the teeth, and gums that are painful to the touch. A good dentist's office will work with you to prevent gum disease by teaching you the most effective methods of brushing regularly with an appropriate toothbrush, flossing effectively and using an antiseptic mouthwash.
3. Avoid oral cancer: When you go to your regular dental appointment to have your teeth cleaned, your dentist and their hygienist team are also screening the inside of your mouth for anything irregular that might indicate oral cancer or the beginnings of it. If caught early, oral cancer has a very high survival rate, and your dental team is an essential part of that process. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, oral cancer is often found late in its development, but if you maintain regular visits to your dentist, you are more likely to have any irregularities in your mouth found early on, when oral cancer is most likely to be cured.
4. Prevent dental emergencies: Visiting your dentist regularly allows them to catch small problems like cracks in a tooth or small cavities that can turn into a broken tooth or a major cavity that leads to a root canal or tooth abscess. Something as simple as new temperature sensitivity in a tooth can be discussed with your dentist and can reveal that an old filling had fallen out or a small fissure is forming down the side of your tooth. You don't want that tiny crack to turn into a major issue over the weekend when your dentist isn't available, resulting in a painful wait for Monday to come. Dental emergencies are also often expensive, so regular check-ups with your dentist are an investment in the best kind of prevention.
5. Contribute to good overall health: Tooth decay and all the problems you can have in your mouth have been linked over the years to many other problems in the human body. WebMD reports that heart disease, diabetes, strokes and pancreatic cancers have been linked to mouth decay by scientists in medical studies. The human body is one enormous, interconnected system and poor oral health is believed by some to influence poor health in other systems of the body. While medical studies continue to examine whether these claims of interconnectedness are true, it may be wise to listen to Benjamin Franklin, who wisely said "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Be vigilant about keeping up your visits to the dentist and you can be sure you are investing in good health. Visit a dentist with a good reputation in your town or in a town nearby. Take care of your teeth and you will find they take care of you.