Why is it important to go for regular dental checkups

Brushing and flossing will not be enough to remove plaque and tartar build-up! Your dentist will examine your teeth and mouth for not only teeth issues, but for non-dental problems with symptoms in the mouth like vitamin or iron deficiency, glandular fever, gum disease, and even oral cancer, to name a few.

Seeing a dentist twice a year works well for some people. People with a high risk of dental disease may need general dentistry services every 3 to 4 months, or more. This high-risk group includes:

• Smokers
• Diabetics
• People having a bacterial infection in the gums
• People regularly prone to cavities and plaque build-up

Tackling problems early on will save a lot of bother in the long run – it may even save your tooth from an extraction! Here’s how regular dental check-ups are important for maintaining good oral health.

Removes Tartar Buildup

Dental hygienists are professionally trained to clean the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, using specialized tools to scrub plaque from the enamel. If plaque is not removed, it builds up forming tartar. This tartar hardens around the tooth enamel, making it even more difficult to remove on your own. If left untreated, this can further lead to cavities.

Warns About Other Diseases

Oral health can directly have an impact on your overall health. Your dentist will conduct a complete oral examination to recognize the signs and symptoms to warn you about cavities, gum disease, wisdom tooth problems and even high-risk diseases like oral cancer. And with regular dental checkups, oral cancer can be detected and treated in time.

Preventing Periodontitis

Periodontitis or ‘gum disease’ is a common infection that damages soft tissue and bone supporting the tooth. Without treatment, the alveolar bone around the teeth is slowly and progressively lost which will result in tooth loss. Regular dental visits allow the dentist to examine the gums regularly for signs of gum disease. This frequent gum-examination can prevent gum disease from advancing. In case if an individual shows signs of gum inflammation, regular dental visits can ensure it doesn’t progress to severe periodontitis and they get treated immediately.

Pregnant women are at a high risk of periodontal disease as pregnancy changes the hormones in their body. Following a consistent oral health care routine is, therefore, important for pregnant women.

Keeps Bad Habits in Check

There are many habits that can have a negative impact on your oral health that you may not be aware of. Some of these habits include chewing ice, biting your nails, grinding your teeth, eating particularly sticky or hard sweets, drinking coffee and red wine, and of course smoking. During dental checkups, your dentist can check for oral damage caused by these habits. Being informed about bad habits allows you to change your lifestyle choice to prevent further damage to your oral health.

Identifies Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where people stop breathing repeatedly at small intervals during the night. Most people suffering from sleep apnea don’t really know if they have this condition. Regular dental visits can help point out this condition by a dentist and they can suggest alternatives to control it. Dentists can identify sleep apnea by asking the patient whether they experience dry mouth, open mouth breathing, frequent headaches, sore throats and snoring problems. Sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, etc. Those with sleep apnea may benefit from a custom-made mouth guard that opens the airway, eliminating snoring and other sleep apnea conditions!

Now that you are aware of the benefits of visiting a dentist regularly, make sure you visit a dentist once every 6 months. If you have not visited a dentist for a long time, schedule an appointment with your local dentist at the earliest.