Between 2012 and 2016, the percentage of adolescents with cavities dropped from 50% to 43%. Why? Namely, more people are checking in with their dentists.
Understanding the importance of a dental check-up is critical. Otherwise, problems with your teeth could impact your overall health. With immediate treatment, a little tooth decay could turn into an even bigger problem.
Don’t damage that beautiful smile. Instead, keep reading to discover the seven reasons regular dentist visits are crucial. Once you understand the importance of routine dental care, you’ll never miss another appointment again.
Keep reading to learn more!
1. Prevent Tooth Decay
Oral disease affects nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide. It can lead to pain, discomfort, gum disease, tooth loss, and even disfigurement. Instead of waiting for your oral health to deteriorate further, it’s important to get help right away.
Regular dental visits can help you prevent tooth decay before it develops.
During a dental cleaning, your dental hygienist or dentist will assess your current oral health. They’ll remove any plaque or tartar that’s built against the surface of your teeth over time. Cleaning away plaque build-up can help prevent tooth decay.
Leaving plaque unattended, however, allows tartar to form. Tartar hardens, making it difficult for you to clean on your own. Instead, you need to visit your dentist to keep plaque and tartar at bay.
You probably have a difficult time examining your teeth on your own. Your hygienist and dentist can pinpoint any problem areas. They know how to look for early signs of decay to ensure problems don’t get worse.
Detecting signs of decay early on can ensure you get the necessary treatment. Leaving the issue unattended, however, can lead to bigger, more expensive problems.
2. Avoid Gingivitis
Remember, plaque and tartar can build against your teeth over time. When left unattended, plaque and tartar allow bacteria to get free reign over your mouth. That bacteria can stow away between your teeth and gums.
As that bacteria spreads, it can soon lead to gum disease, or gingivitis. Gingivitis can cause:
- Loose teeth
- Unrelenting bad breath
- Sensitive teeth
- Pain when chewing
- Tender gums
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
When left without treatment, the infection in gums can travel below your gum line to affect your bone. This leads to an even worse form of gum disease: periodontitis.
Failing to treat gingivitis or periodontitis right away lead to:
- Heart disease
- Pneumonia
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer
You’re more likely to prevent gingivitis from developing into periodontitis with a regular dental check-up.
You can’t control the infection alone. Instead, you’ll need a deep cleaning, which involves going below the gum line with special tools. Your dentist might use scaling or root planning to clean beneath your gums, too.
In extreme cases, you might require surgery. You can avoid pain and expensive treatments with routine dental care instead of letting bacteria ruin your teeth.
3. Screen for Cancer
There’s also a risk you might have oral cancer. Symptoms can include:
- Bleeding in the mouth
- Ear pain
- Weight loss
- Soreness in the back of the throat
- White, red, or speckled patches in the mouth
- Swelling, lumps, or bumps inside the mouth
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking
- A change in your voice or sore throat
- A chance in the way your teeth fit together
Over 53,000 Americans were diagnosed with oral cancer in a single year. Dentist visits can help you receive an early diagnosis and treatment.
4. Keep Your Breath Fresh
When was the last time you checked your breath? Instead of stressing over it, schedule an appointment as a dental patient. Routine cleanings can improve your oral health, which will improve your breath.
Why does your breath start to stink in the first place? Usually, plaque and tartar build-up are to blame. As bacteria build-up within your mouth, they’ll cause a sour odor that’s associated with bad breath.
Remember, you can’t clean tartar away on your own. Routine cleanings can help clear away plaque before it hardens into stinky tartar.
5. Professional Tools
Your toothbrush can’t go it alone. In some cases, brushing twice a day isn’t enough to get all the bacteria. Your dental hygienist and dentist can take a look to ensure your toothbrush is getting the job done.
If your regular toothbrush isn’t enough, your dental professional will use their own tools to give your teeth a deep clean.
They might also suggest you change your oral care gear. For example, an electronic toothbrush that brushes in circular motions is often more effective at cleaning away plaque.
You can talk to your dentist or dental hygiene about other tools and brands you can use to supplement your routine tooth check-up.
6. Brighter Smiles
Are your teeth starting to look a little yellow or dull? Unfortunately, coffee, wine, and smoking can all cause discoloration. A regular dental check-up can help remove those stains.
Otherwise, you’re leaving your teeth to discolor more and more over time.
Ask your dentist about the supplemental dental services they offer. For example, your dentist might suggest a tooth whitening treatment to brighten your smile. You’ll never have to feel self-conscious enough to hide your smile again!
Dentists won’t only brighten teeth. They can also offer other cosmetic solutions to fix a chipped tooth, gaps, or crooked smile. Visiting your dentist regularly also helps you stay up-to-date with new procedures.
That way, you can find new ways to brighten and improve the aesthetic of your smile.
7. Know Your Mistakes
In some cases, you might not realize you’re making mistakes with your oral health until you speak with a professional. It’s also important to note that some people need different solutions than others.
For example, maybe you develop cavities more easily than other patients. Maybe your brushing technique is too harsh and causes bleeding. Your dentist can offer their expertise and help you find a solution.
Your dental hygienist and dentist will keep track of how your oral health progresses over time. They’ll detect problem areas that could become bigger problems down the road.
The Importance of a Regular Dental Check-Up: 7 Ways It Benefits Your Smile
Don’t ignore the importance of a regular dental check-up. Instead, focus on all the ways dental visits can benefit your smile. By scheduling routine check-ups, you can avoid problems, brighten your smile, and improve your overall oral health.
Ready to schedule your next check-up? Contact us today to get started!