Why Dental Check-ups Are Important and Necessary?
It was once thought that losing one’s teeth was an inevitable part of aging. Now, we know that that is not true. It is possible to have lifelong dental health. If we would like to have good dental health throughout our lives however, it is important that we practice good dental hygiene as well as keep up with our regular dental check-ups. Dental professionals recommend that you visit your dentist once every six months.
When you go to see your dentist, there are typically two parts of your appointment
– a cleaning and a dental exam.
Your Dental Cleaning
It is important to clean plaque and tartar away from your teeth, because these can lead to problems such as cavities or gingivitis. Plaque is a sticky substance that forms on your teeth which you can remove at home with regular flossing and brushing. Sometimes however, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Tartar is not something you can remove simply by brushing. Your dental hygienist will have to remove it using special tools. The process of removing tartar is called scaling. After scaling, your teeth will be polished to remove any surface stains.
Your Dental Exam
During your dental exam, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums for any signs of trouble such as cavities or gum disease. Sometimes he may take an X-ray which will allow him to see whether there are cavities between the teeth. If there is a problem, your dentist may book a follow-up appointment for a filling or some other form of treatment.
Your dentist will also check your soft tissue including your tongue, the insides of your cheeks and your neck. He is looking for anything that might be a sign of oral cancer. Oral cancer is a deadly disease but when it is discovered and treated early, the odds of survival dramatically increase.
Maintaining good oral health isn’t the only reason why having regular dental check-ups is important. Seeing your dentist is also good for your overall health. Recent research suggests that there may be a connection between the health of your gums and certain medical conditions.
While more research is still needed, it has been found that gum disease has been associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even preterm birth.
So if you want to keep not only your mouth, but your entire body healthy be sure to take care of those teeth and see your dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups.
Is it time for your next dental appointment? Give us a call today to set one up.
