You visit your doctor regularly, but what about your dentist? Your teeth, gums and the rest of your mouth need attention too. If you tend to slip and forget those regular dentist visits, understanding why professional oral care is absolutely essential is the first step to getting back on track.
What do you need to know about dental check-ups? Take a look at why you need to keep your regularly scheduled appointments and how they can change the look and feel of your mouth.
Most dental patients visit the office for check-ups and routine cleanings twice a year or every 6 months. But that doesn't necessarily mean your dentist will go with the same schedule for you. If you have a dental issue, a chronic condition that affects your mouth or periodontal disease, your dentist may want to see you more often.
When making appointments, your dentist will take your individual case into consideration. Keeping these appointments allows you to make sure that all of your specific dental needs are met. That gives your dentist the ability to help you and make sure that your mouth is healthy.
Skipping visits puts you on a schedule that won't meet your needs. This may mean that your teeth or gums suffer. Of course, if you do happen to miss an appointment (it happens), your dentist can find a way to put you back on a regular schedule.
Stopping a problem before it starts has obvious advantages. So does catching an issue right as it begins. Keeping your regularly scheduled dental check-ups is an easy way to prevent cavities from taking over or to stop gum disease from progressing.
Don't assume that you can spot every possibly problem just by looking in the mirror. Yes, you might notice some issues. A major cavity may show up as a dark spot and you may feel pain. But that doesn't mean every issue will show up in such as obvious way.
During your check-up, the dentist may take X-rays. This allows them to see decay that is hiding between teeth or under the gum line. X-rays can also find abscesses, infections and other problems that are deep down or in the jaw.
After an exam (and possibly X-rays), the dentist can come up with a treatment plan to keep your mouth healthy. This may mean adjusting your maintenance schedule, filling cavities or even referring you to a specialist such as a periodontist.
You brush your teeth 2 times a day for 2 minutes each time. You floss after meals too. That means your teeth are healthy, right? Maybe. Self-care at home is a major part of maintaining a healthy mouth. It's necessary and will keep your teeth on track in between dentist office visits. But it's not the only way to care for your teeth.
Along with brushing and flossing, keeping your regular appointments with the dentist can only add to your mouth's health. The plaque that builds up on your teeth isn't always easy to get to with a brush or floss. During your regular visit, the dentist or hygienist will use specialized tools to reach and clear the plaque from your gum line and in-between your teeth.
They can also remove calculus or tartar—that's what untreated plaque turns into. This hardened plaque isn't easy to clean from your teeth without help. Keeping your regular appointments means that tartar doesn't stay stuck to your teeth for long enough to cause major problems.
Do you need a dental check-up? Contact Teresita V. Hernandez, DDS to schedule your next visit.
