A regular dental visit is important because it can help keep your teeth and gums healthy. It is recommended to plan a visit to your dental professional twice a year or at intervals determined by your dentist. You may not look forward to having your teeth checked but the reasons to do so greatly outweigh any fear you may have. They can help spot dental health problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, cavities, or even oral cancer, early on when treatment is likely to be simpler and more affordable.
A regular dental visit is often broken down into two steps.
The dental cleaning - your dental professional cleans your mouth by removing plaque and tartar, and by checking the cleanliness of your teeth and gums. Afterward, your teeth are polished and flossed. Cleaning is often followed by reviewing with you brushing and flossing techniques.
The dental examination - your dentist will assess the state of your teeth and gums. Several things will be covered in your examination, and can often include the following:
- taking X-rays
- examining your gums, looking for gum disease as well as loose teeth
- checking your tongue
- looking for tooth decay, broken teeth, and damaged fillings
- evaluating any dental appliance, you may have including crowns, dentures, bridges, or implants
- checking the contact between your teeth and your bite
The check-up might also include an examination of your throat, face, head, and neck to look for any signs of a major health issue along with oral cancer.
Preventive Care in Roanoke Rapids
If problems with your teeth and gums are left untreated, it could force extensive and expensive treatments later. Regular dental check-ups can help to prevent the following:
Plaque, tartar, and cavities - Even with the best home oral hygiene routine, there are still areas in the mouth, which are missed by regular brushing and flossing. Regular dental cleanings help prevent tartar from eroding teeth or creating holes, which is how cavities are formed. Once the cavity has been formed, you should return to the dentist to have it fixed.
Gum disease - Plaque and tartar buildup not only cause tooth decay but can also attack the mouth’s gum tissues. This happens when tartar buildup causes an infection where the gum is connected to the teeth. Late stage gum disease can have devastating effects on your mouth, including tooth loss, and a breakdown of the bone supporting your teeth.
Bad habits - Damage from smoking, eating sugary foods, grinding your teeth, staining your teeth with coffee or wine, and biting your nails, can be kept to a minimum with regular dental visits.
Finding problems you cannot see - With X-rays, your dentist can check for problems under the surface of the visible part of your mouth. Issues such as impacted wisdom teeth, bone decay, cysts or tumors, can be seen in X-ray imaging.
At Thomas E. Fleming DDS, PA, we are concerned with more than fixing teeth. Skipping dental appointments may not seem like a big deal, but a problem can surface and progress quickly, even if you don’t notice it. Keeping your dental appointments can help prevent more serious problems in the future. Contact our office today to schedule a complete evaluation of your oral health.