Regularly Checkups

The importance of regular checkups and dental cleanings cannot be minimized.

Often it is not until some people have reached a point in their lives where they have lost one or more teeth because of neglect, or because they simply didn’t take the time to visit their dentist twice a year for a checkup and a cleaning.

A regular checkup appointment can seem like a real hassle to keep, but you stand to benefit so much more than the little bit of inconvenience of setting aside an hour every six months to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and that your teeth are set to last a lifetime. There are numerous health benefits from a regular check-up of your teeth and the relation to overall good general health and dental health are becoming a very important aspect for consideration.

Maintaining a regular dental checkup schedule will ensure that any potential dental issues are quickly identified and treated before they can turn into painful, and highly expensive, medical issues that may require surgery or permanent treatment options.

The importance of the regular checkup ranges from preventing fatal conditions to maintaining healthy gum and teeth so they are working at their optimal level. On one end of the scale, regular dental visits will clear the patient of any potential oral cancers which are highly curable if caught early on. On a lesser scale but perhaps far more prevalent is gum disease, which is an infection of the gum tissue and the bone. This is also true of cavities and broken fillings which, if left untreated can result in root canals, gum surgery and removal of teeth.

On a superficial level, regular checkups prevent the buildup of plaque and clean the teeth and gums to a healthy level, thereby reducing the onset of bad breath. Statistics show that 85 percent of people with persistent bad breath can attribute it to a dental problem and low dental surgery attendance.

How regularly should you go for these checkups? A good rule of thumb is once every six months providing that you have not experience any sensitivity, pain or discomfort anywhere around your jaw line of teeth. If your teeth or gums are causing you any discomfort at all, or if you develop a case of bad breath that simply won’t go away, it’s time to come in for a visit. Caught early, most dental problems can be cured or remedied quickly.

There are, however, certain conditions that require more frequent visits to the dentist, including periodontal and gum disease, poor oral hygiene habits, high use of tobacco and alcohol, pregnancy, diabetes and certain medical conditions. These conditions leave the patient with a higher risk of gum disease, oral cancer and cavities so should visit their dentist on a more regular basis.

If you have children and want to make sure that their teeth remain healthy for the rest of their lives it is imperative that they begin to adopt good dental habits such as brushing their teeth properly and on a schedule, and even more important, that they become accustomed to flossing. People that floss regularly, and from an early age, stand to gain a level of dental health that will stay with them forever. Talk to us about how you can communicate the right ideas for good oral health to your children.