6 Reasons you should see your dentist twice a year


The American Dental Association recommends that all adults visit their dentist for a checkup every six months, but why? Is it really that important to make an appointment twice a year? The short answer ? Yes, it absolutely is. You see, regular dental appointments cover a lot more territory than just checking for cavities (although that’s certainly one important part of the visit.) In fact, your overall wellness can be affected by your oral health and, as with any other part of the body, the earlier potential problems are addressed, the better. Here are six reasons why you should be keeping those checkups:

Reason #1: Keeping an Eye on Gum Health

One of the most important things that happens at a routine checkup is an overview or your periodontal health (or gum health.) The early symptoms of periodontal disease can be subtle to the untrained eye and your dentist will know exactly what to look out for. Why is this important? Well, untreated gum disease can cause an awful lot of damage to your mouth, in addition to putting you at a higher risk for developing a host of health complications—including heart disease, diabetes, and more. Seeing your dentist every six months means the likelihood of catching periodontal disease early is much higher, and hopefully the risk of unwanted associated complications much lower.

Reason #2: Keeping Plaque and Tartar in Check

Plaque and tartar have a habit of building up in a hurry if you’re relaxed with your oral hygiene. Visiting your dentist every six months means that soft plaque doesn’t have much of a chance to harden on the surface of your teeth, which can cause gum irritation and even lead to periodontal disease if it’s not taken care of quickly.

Reason #3: Bite Analysis

One of the things your dentist will assess at your check up is your bite alignment. Clues in your alignment can reveal problems with bruxism (tooth grinding), jaw or neck pain, or even sleep apnea. If a dentist suspects that something’s off with your alignment, they’ll be able to get to the bottom of it and hopefully present a solution, ensuring less pain and a better night’s sleep.

Reason #4: Early Detection of Tooth Decay

A cavity caught early is a much smaller problem that a cavity that goes unnoticed or untreated for months, or years, on end. A small, simple filling is much less expensive and time consuming, not to mention more comfortable, than a root canal procedure.

Reason #5: Clues About Your Overall Health Can Be Found In Your Mouth

Believe it or not, our mouths can say a lot about our heath in general. During your examination, your dentist will look for signs of possible oral cancer, diabetes, or vitamin deficiencies. If they suspect something is unusual, they can recommend follow-up appointments with specialists.

Reason #6: Keeping Everything Squeaky-Clean

The cleaning your receive at the end of your examination is one of the most important parts of the visit. Your dentist can reach and clean better than you can at home, and you get to leave with a fresh, clean smile (not to mention peace of mind.)
It may be tempting to skip an appointment or two—we all lead busy lives, after all. But the fact of the matter is that the benefits of these regular appointments far outweigh any inconvenience you may perceive. Be sure to see your dentist every six months! (It helps to schedule the next one as you are leaving the current one, so bring your appointment book with you to your visit!)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Smoking and Your Oral Health

Image
By now we all know that smoking is bad for our health. It increases the risk for cancer, heart disease, and numerous other problems throughout the body. Your mouth is no exception. With the New Year right around the corner, what better time is there to quit? Hewlett Family Dental  wants to help the cause of moving towards a smoke-free life by providing our community members with some more reasons to quit. How Smoking Affects Your Oral Health One of the commonly overlooked dangers of smoking is how it affects oral health.  The truth is, several oral health problems are directly related to smoking, and continuing to smoke can put you at increased risk for: Gum disease Oral cancer Dry mouth Discolored teeth Bad breath Tips to Quit Smoking is addictive and therefore not easy to quit. Some people even try quitting multiple times before they succeed at never picking up another cigarette. We understand how difficult quitting can be and are here to provide support f
Read more

When To Start Brushing Babies Teeth

Image
Early dental care for children is very important. Although most babies do not have visible teeth for the first six months to one year of their lives, good dental care starts from the very beginning. Baby teeth will eventually be replaced by permanent adult teeth, but neglect of your child’s first teeth may lead to serious health issues. In making sure your child has proper dental care, you will help to safeguard their smile, and also assist them in building a lifetime of good oral care habits. Before Tooth Eruption The first baby teeth start to show up at around six months old and will likely appear in the front of the mouth. But even before they arrive, you need to keep your baby’s mouth clean. Using a clean, warm, moistened cloth or a piece of sterile gauze,   gently wipe your baby’s gums with your index finger. Be thorough, but use light pressure. The goal is to remove any food particles or milk film from their gums. Teething Teething can be frustrating for a baby
Read more

Got Questions? We've got the answers!

Image
Frequently Asked Questions  Hewlett Family Dental has the answers to the most commonly asked dental questions. If you have a question that is not addressed here, let us know! FAQs What causes bad breath? Bad breath is generally a result of dental decay and periodontitis, a disease affecting the gums and bone. Periodontitis occurs when the gums become inflamed and infected, ultimately spreading pockets of plaque and tartar from the gums to the bone that supports the teeth. The teeth may become loose and eventually fall out if left untreated. Periodontitis is treatable, but good oral hygiene is the best method of avoiding this problem. How do I repair a cracked tooth? Teeth can crack or chip for a variety of reasons. Especially if they are subjected to chewing hard foods or biting on an unexpectedly hard object, or if teeth have been subjected to large restorations. You may also experience painful chewing, unsolicited pain or discomfort due to cold air. Most
Read more