Odds are you’ve been told that you need to visit a dentist for a checkup at least once every six months. However the idea of dragging yourself over to the dentists is probably not something that you look forward to – which is why you may be wondering whether or not it is really necessary.
The short answer to that question is: Yes it is. In the long run, making sure you go for regular dental checkups could help you in several different ways, and here’s why:
1. Reduce the risk of gum disease
Gum disease is an infection that damages the tissue of your gums causing them to pull away from the teeth. It is typically caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar, and if the infection is left untreated your gums will start to swell, bleed, and feel sore.
Not only can gum disease cause tooth loss but it is also linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and several other health conditions. All this can be avoided if you visit the dentist for regular checkups, as they’ll be able to spot early warning signs and ensure you get it treated promptly.
2. Clean plaque and tartar
Despite the fact that you may think your brushing and flossing is fine, sometimes bacteria can still build up in certain areas and form layers of plaque that eventually become tartar. At your checkup your dentist will clean your teeth thoroughly – preventing the issue from getting worse.
As an added bonus you’ll end up with a brighter smile when you leave too.
3. Detect oral cancer
If left untreated, oral cancer can be life threatening – but if identified early it is normally easily treatable. During your regular checkup your dentist will look out for signs and symptoms of oral cancer that you may not have noticed, increasing your chances.
4. Spot cavities early
At times cavities can form in areas that are hard to notice and you may not even realize you have one. A dentist will be able to spot them easily however, and ensure they’re treated early – which could save you a lot of pain and money.
5. Identify habits that could damage your teeth
Some people have bad habits that can affect their oral health, such as chewing ice, clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth, brushing too hard, and many others. Regular checkups will let your St Albans dentist observe your teeth for any signs of damage due to these habits and warn you about them so you can make changes.
At the same time your dentist will be able to fix any existing damage so that the impact it has on your oral health is minimal.
Starting to see the importance of regular dental checkups? Make no mistake, while they’ll probably never be something that you look forward to – the fact of the matter is that setting up an appointment every six months and keeping it will have a huge impact on your oral health and wellbeing as well as the cost you need to spend on treatments.