Patients often overlook dental exams and dental cleanings. Some people don’t see the point in it because their teeth and mouths seem healthy, and others don’t want to invest the time. Neglecting dental exams and cleanings can be a big mistake, as they form a healthy mouth. But why is it so important?
1) Maintains Your Oral Health
Regular visits to the dentist also help maintain adequate oral health. The dentist doesn’t just look at the gums! During the exam, the dentist assesses the teeth, gums, tongue, soft tissue under the tongue, the palate, and the inside of the cheeks, in order to make sure your mouth is healthy!
2) Eliminates Dental Plaque and Tartar
Even with impeccable dental hygiene combined with dental floss and toothbrush, no one can completely remove dental plaque and tartar. You can prevent these deposits, of course, but only the instruments used by the dental hygienist can eliminate them properly.
First, the descaling done by the latter removes hard deposits of tartar that form on the teeth. On the other hand, cleaning (polishing/prophylaxis) makes it possible to soften and polish their surface to prevent dental plaque – hardly visible – from adhering to it and accumulating there. Besides, this treatment also improves the appearance of teeth by eliminating stains (tea, coffee, red wine, etc.).
3) Detect Other Problems Early
Contrary to popular belief, just because everything seems right in your mouth doesn’t mean it is. A small cavity may not be felt while a dentist can easily spot it and make a diagnosis. In this sense, only a dentist in concert with the hygienist can detect early caries, periodontal diseases, defective fillings, oral lesions, and other oral diseases, before they make you suffer or they are apparent. In most cases, treatments are much simpler (and less expensive) when the problem is at an embryonic stage. This avoids any unpleasant surprises!
How Often Should You Go to the Dentist?
Once a year, every six months, more often, more rarely, there is no ready-made answer to this question. The frequency with which you should visit your dentist depends on a multitude of factors, such as health, age, medication, etc. Your skill and diligence in providing personal oral hygiene care is also a factor.
If you need a reliable dentist for your regular dental check-ups, the dentists at Prosthodontics Dental Centre, have a patient-centered and sensitive approach to dental care. They will do everything needed to keep your teeth and gums healthy with as little pain as possible!
