Why You Should Never Skip a Dental Checkup
Examination. All dental checkups near you include a thorough examination of every surface of every tooth and every portion of your gums… and more besides. The initial point of that examination will be to determine the health of your teeth and gums, to detect any signs of tooth decay or gum disease and to track any changes since your last visit. An examination may also include taking dental images through x-rays to monitor the development of your teeth, roots and jaw beneath your gums. Your dentist in Bridlewood will also examine your tongue and all the soft tissues inside your mouth for any indications of irregular cells that may suggest the presence of oral cancers.
Cleaning. However well you maintain your teeth at home, you can’t remove all plaque because you just can’t reach every surface of every tooth. With their specialized equipment, though, your dentist can. Tartar that develops as the result of accumulated plaque can not be removed by you at home, but your dentist has special devices called scalers and curettes that can and will eliminate all tartar. The combination of plaque and tartar produces cavities if allowed to accumulate. The elimination of those contaminants at regular dental checkups in Bridlewood will not only leave you with a cleaner and fresher mouth but with a healthier mouth too.
What are the benefits of attending regular dental checkups?
Early detection. Tooth decay and even minor gum disease (gingivitis) are much more easily managed, eliminated and prevented if detected early than if it is unnoticed or unseen until it has progressed. Advanced tooth decay or gum disease can cause tooth loss if allowed to advance, but that risk is completely avoidable with early and careful attention to your oral health with the help of a dentist near you.
Best cleaning practices. Brushing and flossing at home can remove most plaque and prevent the development of a lot of tartar, but not all. Letting plaque accumulate and tartar build up between your dental checkups can fuel tooth decay for months at a time before your dentist and hygienist have a chance to clean your teeth. Yes, dental checkups are an occasion to have all that plaque and tartar removed, but your hygienist and dentist will also take advantage of the chance to help you improve your own dental hygiene habits.
Save money. The serious consequences of neglected dental hygiene can be fixed with time, effort and money. Attending dental checkups will take time every six months and, yes, they’ll be an expense. Getting to those checkups will take some effort. The time, effort and money involved in attending dental checkups will be a lot less significant and difficult than procedures to correct serious tooth decay (root canals, extractions or implants) or periodontal disease (gum grafting or even extractions and implants).
Best nutritional habits. Your daily hygiene habits are not the only daily activities that can affect the health of your mouth, gums and teeth. If you eat acidic foods and beverages that damage the enamel of your teeth or your gum tissue, your dentist and hygienist will notice those issues and recommend changes to your diet to protect your health.
Achieve cosmetic goals. A lot of the foods and drinks you consume without thinking can stain your teeth — coffee, tea, wine, cola, tomato-based sauces, soy-based sauces, blueberries and pomegranates and more. If you smoke, the situation will even be worse. A standard dental checkup won’t include whitening or bleaching services but will include a thorough cleaning to remove minor discolourations on an ongoing basis. That effort will keep your teeth as clean as possible and give you a chance to get advice about how to accomplish any cosmetic dentistry goals you have — whether that’s whiter teeth, straighter teeth or more. There’s an added bonus to having your teeth cleaned at regular dental checkups, too. Fresher breath.
Do you have a regular dentist who you see for regular dental checkups? If not, we encourage you to get one and to see them regularly. It’s worth the effort.
Comments
Post a Comment