Why You Should Have Regular Dental Check-Ups
For healthy teeth and gums, a regular visit to your dentist should be one of your priorities. Here is a guideline on how you benefit from the exercise.
Despite some people finding them tiresome and time-consuming, regular dental check-ups could save you a lot of money in the long run. You should at least have a check-up every six months or at the recommended time by your dentist.
Having your teeth in good shape doesn’t mean you get a free pass from the check-ups. There are a lot of benefits you can gain from the visits that are dental and non-dental related. Some non-dental problems can show their signs in your mouth, for instance, vitamins and minerals deficiencies and lifestyle diseases like diabetes and cancer.
Benefits of Dental Checkups
- Oral Cancer
At every examination, your dentist will look out for any mouth cancer signs. Your dentist will perform a head and neck examination for lumps and any signs of white or red patches in your mouth.
Early detection of these signs could save your health. It is quick, painless, and a non-invasive procedure. The VELscope used can detect the invisible dead tissues caused by tumor formation.
- Gum Disease
Gum diseases are examined by measuring the distance between the teeth and the gums using a special instrument. Healthy gums depth is shallow, while the infected ones have a deeper depth.
Tartar build-up can cause an infection in the gums. The tissue attaching the gum to the tooth gets damaged, pulling the gums away from the tooth. This condition is known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is accompanied by swelling and bleeding of gums. If not treated, it can result in intensively deep gum and tooth cleaning or surgery.
- Tartar and Plaque Clean Up
Brushing and flossing cannot remove all the plaque, which in turn hardens and becomes tartar. Tartar removal is known as scaling. The procedure involves the use of special instruments. If scaling cannot be done, your teeth can be polished by using a gritty paste. Polishing will help remove stains. Then lastly, your dentist will floss your teeth.
Removal and prevention of tartar build-up prevent cavity creation. Cavities give no warning while forming; you will only experience toothaches after the cavity is formed.
Failure to detect and treat cavities early will result in fillings and, to some extent, root canal procedures, which are a bit expensive than the regular visits to your dentist.
- Helps You to Avoid Bad Habits
There are some habits you might be doing and not aware that they are a risk for your oral hygiene. During your dental care visit, your dentist may notice some problems caused by these habits and get to warn you before further damage. Some of these habits may include eating sticky and hard substances, biting your nails, clenching your jaw, and biting ice.
- Checks Head and Neck Lymph Nodes
Other than the teeth, gums, and jaw check-ups, your dentist will also look at the lymph nodes located below your jawline for any abnormalities. Lymph nodes don’t occasionally hurt or give away any sign of defects. A professional is easily able to detect any anomalies that can be signs of a serious disease.
Consultations
Cosmetic dentistry has gained a lot of popularity. Celebrities are not the only ones doing cosmetic dentistry to improve their self-esteem. Through your dentist, you can ask about it and get advice about cosmetics procedures that suit you best. These procedures could be teeth whitening or the replacement of missing teeth. Your dentist can also refer you to the right specialists.
- Find Problems Using X-ray
During check-ups, your dentist will take x-rays of your jaws to see what underneath. Through x-rays, impacted teeth, tumors, swellings, cysts, and damaged jaws can be found. Some destructive diseases are hard to detect and barely show any signs; regular examinations will ensure you keep up to date with your health.
- Tips to Be Done Between the Visits
- Use mouthwash for fresh breath and control of plaque and bacteria
- Floss and brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste
- Avoid habits that can affect your oral hygiene such as eating sticky foods
Chaparral Valley Dental has qualified and well experienced dentists who offer check-up services. They will also provide you with advice on how you can best improve your oral health and take care of your teeth.