If you don’t check, your dental problems can lead to expensive treatments and serious health concerns. You’re a busy person juggling family and work, and even if you want to take care of yourself, finding time and opportunity becomes difficult.
While one may find it challenging to keep up with a dental check-up every six months, having a dentist examine could save your oral health. Feel like 2 dental checkups a year is too much? Read on to learn whether these checkups are really that necessary.
What Happens During Dental Check-ups?
During your appointment, the dentist will begin by examining your teeth and gums with an intraoral camera to look for signs of decay, inflammation, or other problems.
Your dentist will then perform a complete oral exam to look for abnormalities or unusual tissue growths and examine the rest of your mouth for signs of infection or other problems. They may also examine your jawbone if they suspect something is wrong.
The dentist will talk to you about any concerns that you may have about your teeth, gums, and mouth. They will also let you know if they see any problems that need attention immediately.
If necessary, the dentist may perform a procedure such as cleaning or scaling. It can help prevent periodontal disease from developing later due to plaque buildup on your teeth!
Is Going for a Dental Check-up Necessary?
A dental check-up is an important part of your overall health. The following are things a dental check-up does:
Keeps Gums Healthy
The primary cause of gum disease is bacteria that build up between the teeth and gums. If you ignore this condition, plaque will start forming on the teeth, leading to cavities, tooth decay, and other problems.
A dental check-up helps you understand your oral health better by checking for any unusual symptoms or signs of gum disease. For example, if you have bleeding gums when you floss, it could indicate gum disease. During a dental check-up, a dentist will:
- Look at the color and texture of your teeth
- Examine the teeth
- Remove plaque from beneath them
- Take X-rays if necessary
- Examine the mouth for signs of cancer or tumors
- Assess whether any existing fillings are holding up well enough.
Eliminate Bad Breath
It’s caused by food rotting in your mouth. The rotting food will cause bacteria to build up, leading to bad breath. The bacteria will only worsen if you do not get a dental check-up.
Saves Money
If you don’t go for a dental check-up, your teeth might get cavities. That’s because bacteria in your mouth can cause your teeth to decay.
When you get cavities, they have to be filled with a filling or a crown. These procedures can be expensive and time-consuming.
But if you go for a dental check-up regularly, your dentist can spot any problems before they become cavities or infections. You won’t need to spend as much money on fillings or crowns.
Flossing and Brushing Aren’t Enough
Brushing and flossing are important, but it’s not enough. Go for dental check-ups every six months. Your dentist will do an oral exam, including a visual inspection of your teeth and gums and your neck and jaw area. This inspection can show signs of gum disease or tooth decay that you may have missed on your own during daily brushing and flossing. It’s important to catch these signs as soon as possible because they could cause more serious problems in the future if left untreated!
Factors Affecting the Number of Times You Need Dental Check-ups
The number of times you need a dental check-up is determined by several factors:
- Maintenance of your teeth and gums. If you have good oral hygiene, you will not need a dental check-up as often as someone who does not practice good oral hygiene.
- If you have gum disease or other oral health issues, it is important to go for regular check-ups to ensure that it is being treated properly and that there are no complications with other parts of your mouth or body.
- Age. Older people tend to have more serious problems because their teeth are more worn down.
- The more plaque you have on your teeth, the more you need a dental check-up sooner than someone who brushes twice a day. Plaque is a sticky substance made up of bacteria, food particles, saliva, and minerals from saliva. Plaque builds up on your teeth after eating or drinking sugary foods or drinks.
Regular dental visits are important. Patients should monitor things like infection and plaque management progress. The typical bi-annual check-up is a great plan for monitoring oral health and being on the lookout for problems.
