Dental check-ups are important because they keep your teeth and gums healthy. The risk of gum disease and tooth loss can be reduced with good oral hygiene, a low-sugar diet, and regular visits to the dentist. A professional pediatric dentist will provide your child with tips on how to take care of your teeth at home. These advise include the proper way to brush and floss your teeth and additional information based on the specific condition of your teeth.
Why visiting the dentist is so important?
Having dental check-ups regularly not only saves your oral health but also keep the rest of your body healthy. Dental care is important because
- It prevents tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss.
- Brushing, flossing, and visiting regular dental check-ups will help you reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth and prevent bad breath.
- Dental care is important to look teeth bright by preventing them from becoming sustained by foods, drinks, and tobacco.
- Strengthens your teeth and gives you a more attractive smile that boosts your confidence.
How often should you go to the dentist?
Every individual should visit the dentist for regular dental check-ups at least once every six months. Its because regular dental check-ups are essential in maintaining your teeth and gums. And in between those examinations, it is important for you to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Patients who have a greater risk of oral cancer or gum disease must go for the dental check-ups more than twice a year. Your dentist may suggest more frequent visits based on your condition.
What happens at your dental visit?
There are 2 parts to a dental visit. One is check-up or examination and the other one is cleaning. At a dental check-up, your dentist will check for the tooth decay. During the appointment, your dentist will likely check out the health of your gums, perform a head and neck examination to figure out that everything is normal. Your dentist also examines your mouth for any indications of oral cancer, vitamin deficiencies or diabetes.
The dental check-up will also include an examination for plaque and tartar on your teeth. The plaque and tartar will build up in a very short time if good oral health is not maintained between visits. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria. If it is left untreated, it hardens and tartar. Once the tartar is formed it cannot be removed with brushing and flossing. This leads to oral diseases.
Your pediatric dentist will also examine the gums in this process. This is done with a tool to measure the depth of the spaces between your teeth and gums. The spaces are shallow for healthy gums and the spaces may become deeper for people having gum disease. The dental check-up also includes a careful examination of your tongue, throat, face, head, and neck.
Your teeth will also clean at your visit. Brushing and flossing can help you clean the plaque but only a dental professional can remove the tartar with and this is called scaling. After the scaling, the teeth may be polished. Your dentist can also floss to keep your teeth clean.
What care you need to take between each dental check-up
You need to take care of your teeth and gums between regular dental visits. Regular brush and floss can clean the plaque. Also, you need to
- Brushing and flossing at least twice a day is important.
- Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
- Use a mouthwash to control plaque and keeps your mouth fresh.
Facts about a regular dental check-up
- Regular dental check-ups are important to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- A dental visit involves check-up and cleaning.
- This process includes the examination of overall oral health
- During the cleaning, your dentist may remove the plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth.
- Once it is removed, the teeth are ready to polish.
- You should have a dental visit twice a year or recommended by the dental professional as per your condition.
It’s good to know that you should go in for a dental check-up at least twice a year. Yesterday I noticed that I have a minor toothache in one of my molars, so I think I may have a cavity. I will start going to the dentist on a regular basis from now on to prevent issues like this in the future.
Thanks for sharing this great article
I’m glad to hear that regular dental check-ups can prevent tooth loss and gum disease. My grandmother experienced severe gum disease and eventual tooth loss about 25 years ago. I will definitely visit the dentist semi-annually from now on to avoid this.
Thanks For sharing this article and Its been very useful for all the age groups and it also helps me lot to acquire useful information about dental health and regular checkups as well.