Good at-home dental hygiene and a proper diet are great ways to maintain excellent oral health. However, it’s not enough. Experts recommend getting dental assessments every six months. During the appointment, the dentist will learn about your medical history, inspect your mouth for oral issues, clean your mouth, and provide treatment for oral problems.
While dental check-ups are pretty straightforward and painless, some people feel they aren’t necessary. After all, they feel healthy. However, regular dental visits are essential whether or not you have dental problems. Below are seven reasons why:
Regular dental check-ups are primarily a part of preventive care. Regular visits protect you from dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease, along with good at-home dental hygiene and diet. During your appointment, the dentist uses special tools to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your mouth.
Tartar is a hard deposit that attaches to the teeth and around the gums, and you can’t eliminate it with routine brushing and flossing. When not eliminated in time, these deposits erode the tooth’s enamel and irritate the gums, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. Visiting your dentist regularly allows them to remove these deposits and prevent decay and gum disease.
A routine dental visit mainly involves two components: dental cleaning and an exam. Our dentist in Merrimack, NH, inspects your teeth, gums, bone, and mouth during the exam. They look for early symptoms of oral problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and poor bite. Some dentists also perform oral cancer screening to look for early signs of oral cancer.
It’s worth noting that most oral conditions don’t show any notable symptoms during their early stages. For instance, oral cancer can begin with a simple pimple, which most people will likely ignore. The dentist can catch these early symptoms during the exam before progressing to advanced and irreversible stages.
Regular dental assessments allow for early detection of oral issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. It allows for a more successful, cheaper, and effective treatment. It also gives you a better chance of saving your teeth and restoring the health of your gums and bone.
On the contrary, if a condition has progressed to advanced stages, you might need complex, invasive, uncomfortable, and expensive treatments. In severe stages, these issues can lead to tooth loss, jawbone disorders, and even death (oral cancer).
Dazzling teeth make you feel attractive and healthy. However, sometimes your teeth can lose their bright appearance due to certain foods, dental trauma, or smoking. During dental appointments, the dentist removes plaque and tartar deposits from your mouth, improving the appearance of your teeth and gums. The teeth are further polished for a smooth and brighter appearance. If necessary, you can also get a tooth whitening treatment to whiten your smile further.
Dental check-ups and cleanings help to prevent, detect, and treat oral issues. Not having dental visits increases your risk of oral problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Poor oral health is closely associated with an increased risk of chronic health issues like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Regular dental visits and cleanings can help minimize the risk of developing oral and health conditions.
Most dental work or restorations like dentures, fillings, crowns, veneers, sealants, and bonding wear down over time or get damaged. Ill-fitting, worn-out, or damaged dental work can cause a poor bite and pain and increase your risk of infections. During your regular check-up, the dentist will inspect your dental works to ensure they’re in perfect condition. If necessary, they can repair or replace them. Visit a general dentist near you if your restoration is damaged.
Apart from examining and cleaning your mouth, the dentist also takes time to answer any questions you might have about your oral health. They’ll also educate you about habits that impact your oral health and give you vital tips on maintaining excellent oral health.
Ready to book your next dental appointment? Or perhaps you need general dentistry Merrimack? Contact Yelena Popkova, DDS- Merrimack.