Why Dental Check-Ups Are So Important
Have you ever wondered why it’s so important to go to the dentist every six months? It’s not an arbitrary time frame, and it turns out that those check-ups do a lot for your smile, your mouth, and your overall health.
Attending regular dentist visits is an important way to keep your teeth and gums healthy, but that’s not the only benefit. When you see your dentist for routine dental exams, your dental team can identify any potential issues before they develop into full-blown problems.
Your teeth may even alert your dentist of an underlying health condition! That’s right, several chronic health conditions can be linked to poor oral health, so if preventative dentistry can help detect problems that weren’t present six months before, it could save you more than you think.
Types of Dental Check-Ups
Several things happen when you attend a regular dental visit. It’s easy to think that some dental check-ups rank higher than others, but each of these checks mark different ways your dental team evaluates the health and wellness of your teeth and gums. Each one is crucial in terms of your overall oral health.
General Dental Check-Up
Every routine dental exam should include a check-up. This part involves a dental professional looking over your teeth, your gums, and an exam of your throat, face, head, and neck. The general check-up also includes a thorough cleaning of your teeth.
Gums
Your gums should be thoroughly examined to gauge the depth of the spaces between your teeth. When spaces between the teeth and gums are too deep, this is a sign of gum disease. Additionally, other conditions may present along the gum line, like mouth sores.
Dental X-Rays
X-rays are another common dental exam because they allow your dental team to examine the spaces between your teeth for signs of cavities. Not every cavity is visible on the fronts or tops of your teeth; many occur between teeth, where it’s difficult to brush and floss.
Plaque & Tartar
Plaque buildup is common, especially in places that are tough to reach in your mouth. Tartar is the result of plaque hardening on your teeth, and it can’t be removed by brushing and flossing. Your dental team can identify plaque and tartar and reach those difficult spots to remove it.
Scaling
Scaling is part of the cleaning process that removes plaque and tartar. Using a special tool, your dental hygienist can remove the plaque and tartar without harming your teeth.
Teeth Polishing
Polishing your teeth leaves them looking (and feeling) clean and shiny. It helps with any surface stains and makes your mouth feel fresh.
Benefits of Regular Dental Check-Ups
Routine dental visits are a crucial step in maintaining good oral health. They do more than help identify potential problems, though.
Healthy Teeth
Think about how amazing your teeth feel after that professional teeth cleaning. This is because all of the wear and tear gets swept away, and you’re left with healthy teeth ready to take on the world (or all of the food and drink you expose them to!). Seeing your dentist regularly keeps your teeth healthier.
Healthy Gums
Your gums help hold your teeth in place. They are also soft tissues that are susceptible to things like cuts and scrapes or cancer. Your dental team works on your gums when you visit to keep them healthy and strong.
Oral Hygiene
Healthy teeth and gums usually lead to fresher breath and better overall health. Your dentist can make recommendations just for you to help refine your oral care routine. If they notice some inflammation along your gum line, they can make suggestions to help you correct the issue before your next visit.
What should you do between dental visits?
Simply keeping up with regular dentist visits isn’t enough to keep your teeth and gums healthy. It’s important to keep up with a good oral care routine between visits.
- Gently brush your teeth with a soft-bristled brush at least twice per day.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss at least once per day. Be sure to use a proper technique. If you’re not sure you’re doing it correctly, check with your dental team.
- Consider using a mouthwash to help wash away debris and keep your mouth fresh.
- Do regular, at-home spot checks to assess the health of your mouth. You may not be able to see everything, but you can identify some signs of potential problems, like persistent bad breath, sores that don’t heal, and tooth sensitivity.
- If you use tobacco products, it’s important to stop. The ingredients in these products stain your teeth, escalate plaque and bacteria production, and increase your chances of gum disease and oral cancer.
- Watch what you eat! Sticky foods and sugary foods damage your teeth by helping bacteria grow, and the acids can weaken your tooth enamel.
Quick Facts About Dental Check-Ups
- Routine dental visits have two parts — the check-up and the cleaning
- Dental check-ups allow your team to identify potential issues with your teeth and the soft tissues of your mouth, face, and neck, including your lymph nodes and glands.
- You should have a routine dental check-up every six months (or more if recommended by your dental team).
- Every part of a routine dental visit is crucial because they each evaluate unique elements of your overall oral health.
- Your routine dental check-ups include oral cancer checks.
- Nutrition is as important to your mouth as any other part of your body, so avoid those sugary and sticky foods!
- Persistent bad breath could be related to issues with your teeth.
- Remember, dental problems don’t go away on their own!
It’s time to come back and visit us for your exam & cleaning. To show our appreciation, and to make sure you take care of your smile, we’d like to offer you the following specials until October 31:
Now is the perfect time to take care of your whole family’s cleanings and get a discount!
