The Importance of Dental Checkups and Cleanings
Dental checkups and cleanings are essential to your oral health. They help prevent problems from developing that could lead to expensive and painful treatments.
Regular visits also allow dentists to nip things like gum disease and bad breath in the bud before they develop into larger problems. Here are a few reasons why you should make your dentist appointments every six months.
Prevents Gum Disease
Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of plaque and tartar, which damages gum tissues and tooth roots. Mild cases of gum disease, called gingivitis, can be reversed with good oral hygiene and regular cleanings. But advanced gum disease, known as periodontitis, can only be prevented with routine dental visits and proper oral care.
During your checkup, your dentist will take X-rays to detect problems that cannot be seen by the naked eye, such as cavities between teeth, bone damage, and impacted teeth. He or she will also examine your mouth, tongue, and throat for signs of inflammation, growths, swollen glands, or abnormalities such as a lump. He or she will also check your bite (occlusion). Lastly, the dentist will polish and floss your teeth.
Prevents Tooth Decay
While brushing and flossing are important to a healthy smile, routine dental checkups and cleanings provide additional protection against gum disease, tooth decay and oral cancer. During a routine exam, your dentist will remove any plaque and tartar that has built up on your teeth. X-rays5 may also be taken to get better pictures of your teeth and roots for more accurate diagnosis.
They will also examine your gums, looking for red and white patches that could indicate the early signs of oral cancer, which is a very treatable condition if detected and treated at its earliest stage. In addition, your dentist will polish your teeth to remove stains and apply fluoride treatment to strengthen your tooth enamel. They may also recommend dental sealants to protect the chewing surfaces of your back molars from cavities.
Prevents Bad Breath
Brushing and flossing can remove most of the bacteria that cause bad breath. However, trapped food and certain medical conditions can also lead to halitosis.
Your dentist can examine your mouth, soft and hard tissues for signs of gum infections, cavities, or other issues. Regular visits help nip these problems in the bud before they get out of hand and can save you from having to deal with more expensive, painful procedures down the road.
As part of the exam portion of your dental checkup, your dentist will ask you questions about what you eat and drink, what medications you take, and whether or not you have other health issues that might be contributing to bad breath. Then, he or she will recommend next steps.
Prevents Oral Cancer
Besides brushing and flossing your teeth, the best way to prevent dental diseases is to visit your dentist for regular exams and cleanings. These visits allow your dentist to find and treat problems before they become more serious and require expensive treatment in the future.
During your exam, the dentist will review your medical history and check the inside of your mouth for signs of gum disease, tooth decay or oral cancer. They will also feel the jaw bone and neck for any pain or abnormalities.
The hygienist will also remove any plaque that has hardened into calculus (tartar) that can’t be removed with a toothbrush. They will then teach you proper oral hygiene practices and recommend any necessary treatments or procedures to improve your oral health.
Prevents Bad Taste
The dentist examines your gums, mouth and tongue to find early signs of problems like inflammation, growths, tumors and swollen glands. They will also check your occlusion (bite) and any existing dental work such as fillings or crowns.
Having a bad taste in your mouth can be caused by dehydration or a yeast infection (thrush). It is also common during pregnancy and menopause because of hormonal fluctuations.
Visiting the dentist every six months can catch these issues before they worsen and save you money on costly treatments in the future. Not only that, but studies show a direct correlation between good oral health and general well-being. That is why it is important to make these routine appointments.
Dental checkups and cleanings are essential to your oral health. They help prevent problems from developing that could lead to expensive and painful treatments. Regular visits also allow dentists to nip things like gum disease and bad breath in the bud before they develop into larger problems. Here are a few reasons why you should…