A bi-annual dental appointment may not be something that you look forward to, but its merits simply outweigh any dental anxiety that you may have. In fact, skipping these regular checkups can often lead to dire consequences. Here are some of the most important reasons to not miss that dental appointment:
1. Oral Cancer Detection
One of the biggest benefits of a regular dental check-up is the early detection of oral cancer. In turn, early detection ensures that the disease is treated before it becomes life-threatening. A qualified dentist can easily detect early signs and symptoms. The oral cancer detection check-up is non-invasive as well as pain free.
A screening exam typically involves an extra-oral exam of the head and neck as well as intra-oral exam of the lips, cheek, tongue, palate, gum tissues and floor of mouth. The dentist will look for any lumps, sores, discoloration and more. In case the dentist finds anything suspicious, they could refer you to an oral surgeon. Alternately they could also recommend a biopsy.
2. Plaque, Tartar, and Cavities
Even if you take pride in brushing your teeth and flossing regularly, the fact is that you could be missing out certain areas of the mouth. In turn, this leads to plaque build-up. The plaque can over a period solidify into tartar. With a regular dental check-up, you can have the tartar removed so that cavities aren’t formed in the teeth. In fact, regular cleaning can go a long way in keeping your teeth healthy.
3. Prevention of Gum Disease
Plaque and tartar build-up also lead to gum disease. In turn, it can cause swelling of gums, bleeding as well as soreness. It can also lead to breakdown of the gum tissue as well as of the bone that holds teeth in place. This results in tooth loosening and falling out. Allowing gum disease to progress could result in medication, deep cleaning and in extreme cases surgery. Regular dental checkups and cleaning therefore are an easy way to prevent gum disease from progressing.
4. X-Rays
What regular dental checkups can also include are x ray imaging of your teeth and jawbone. This facilitates diagnosis of issues that may not be visible to the naked eye. Some of these issues include:
- Impacted teeth
- Damage to jaw bone
- Bone Decay
- Cysts or tumours
5. Head, Neck, and Lymph Node Checks
Besides checking the mouth for any signs of oral cancer, regular dental check-ups also involve checking your neck, jaw as well as lymph nodes for any abnormalities. Swollen lymph nodes can often be early signs of diseases such as tuberculosis as well as cancer and hence early detection is key.
6. Damage caused by lifestyle or habits
Ever so often there could be damage to your teeth that might be a function of your habits or lifestyle. The following are some of the habits that can be harmful to your teeth:
- Chewing of ice
- Grinding teeth
- Brushing too hard
- Smoking
- Excessive consumption of coffee or alcohol
Regular dental check-ups will ensure that the ill effects of any of these lifestyle issues are identified early and pointed out to you so that further damage can be prevented and any damage that has already been caused can be fixed.
What happens during a routine dental check-up?
A typical dental check-up includes the following activities:
- Medical history including any changes in overall health and use of medicines.
- A comprehensive oral exam.
- X-Rays, if required.
- Cleaning & polishing your teeth.
- Prevention instructions, wherever required as well as education on proper dental hygiene.
- Treatment options for any issues found. These might include referrals to other healthcare specialists, additional tests, advice for restoration work, and more.
Needless to mention that you should contact your dentist if you have any queries or concerns about your teeth. No issue is too insignificant to bring up; even if it does not have any health ramifications, it will surely bring you peace of mind to have it addressed.
To Sum Up
As the above reasons demonstrate, regular dental check-ups are absolutely worth it. Not only do they ensure that your teeth and gums are kept healthy, but they are also the key to your overall health. In fact, many times it is a regular dental checkup that has led patients to diagnosis of other diseases which if not caught in time could have been life threatening.
While skipping regular dental check-ups may not seem like a big deal, the long-term consequences can be quite severe. It is imperative, therefore, that you keep that appointment with your dentist. In fact, when you schedule a dental check-up twice a year, you get to know your dentist better and develop a relationship of trust. In fact, a relationship with your dentist allows him to know your special needs. With dental records available with him it is that much easier to track your oral health. What you get, therefore, is personalized care. For kids, early relationships ensure that dental anxieties are taken care of and dental check-ups become an intrinsic part of their adult life.
While twice a year appointments work for most people, you may need more frequent check-ups in the event you have a history of:
- Gum disease
- Plaque build up or cavities
- Weak immune system
- Stressful life events
- Family history of oral cancer
- If you consume tobacco
A dentist can offer you a visitation schedule that works well for your dental health.
However, you must ensure that you look after your teeth and gums in between dental visits. The following are some helpful hints:
- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- Ensure that you use toothpaste with fluoride.
- Floss daily.
- Ensure that you use mouthwash.
Here’s to not just your oral health, but to your overall health!
At Dental Oasis Family Dentistry, we offer regular dental check-up and services while maintaining a smile on your face and building honest and lasting professional relationships. Book your dental appointment with us and smile on your way to good oral health! You can also reach us via email at office@dentaloasispleasanton.com or call us on (925) 846-4491.