You may diligently brush and floss your teeth every day, but scheduling regular dental appointments is just as important. In fact, visiting the dentist every six months is critical for your overall health. Take a look at the top six dental checkups that shouldn’t be postponed. Your smile will reflect your commitment to oral health.
1. The Bi-Annual Checkup
A checkup is an overall examination of your mouth, throat and surrounding area. The dentist will look at your teeth and gums while giving your entire neck area a thorough inspection. Dentists look for swelling and other anomalies, which can point to health problems.
In fact, these health issues may not be directly related to the teeth or gums. Cancers have been found during normal checkups. Because they’re discovered at an early stage, patients have a chance of pulling through and living a healthy life otherwise. This fact alone is reason enough to book regular appointments.
2. X-Rays
Dentists may be incredibly observant when it comes to evaluating your oral cavity, but they can’t see everything. At least once a year, our dentists at Forestwood Dental will take x-rays. These images tell a story about your bone structure and tooth roots. They help us with diagnoses especially when mysterious pains are involved.
If you don’t receive x-rays each year, bone decline, tooth rot and other serious issues can go undetected. It’s always better to know about a health problem early on for the best resolution.
3. Gum Examination
Dentists can tell a lot about your health by looking at the gums. They look for redness, swelling and shape anomalies. Many people have gum disease, but it can be treated when your dentist sees you on a regular basis. He or she can recommend specific toothbrushes, toothpastes and other items as solutions. Painful gums shouldn’t be ignored so visiting the dentist will provide relief.
4. Plaque and Tartar Removal
One of the main reasons why a dental visit is so important is the cleaning process. Tooth brushing at home can only go so far. Plaque and tartar will accumulate on the teeth. Dentists will remove these residues on the tooth surfaces with ease when regular appointments are part of your schedule.
Dental issues develop when these residues remain on the teeth. They can eat away at the enamel, which leads to tooth decline. The bi-annual appointments fend off the plaque and tartar at a reasonable rate.
5. Scaling and Root Planing
A more invasive cleaning process that’s paramount to your oral health is scaling. This procedure cleans the tooth surfaces, but it also targets the gum pockets. Residues accumulate in these areas, and toothbrushes don’t reach far enough to clean them completely.
Planing goes a bit further with the dentist cleaning the root surfaces. When you visit on a regular basis, both scaling and planing take a minimal amount of time. Waiting too long between visits means that extensive time must be taken to remove the residues with precision.
6. Polishing
Dentists finish up their work with a professional polishing. A soft brush massages the teeth, which allows them to shine up with fewer stains than before. The entire process makes your mouth feel refreshed and visually attractive. Although there are polishing tools that can be used at home, a professional’s touch with their devices will always offer an enhanced look.