All of us are enamored with a beautiful smile showing perfect set of teeth but it takes effort to maintain those pearly writes. Going to a dentist can highlight issues that may be the onset of gum disease and tooth decay. Dentists can not only solve problems but can also prevent them. Visiting a dentist every 6 months can help spot any problem with your oral health before it becomes a major issue.
What happens if you don’t go to the dentist?
Dental health is not only about your oral health, but it is also related to some major health conditions like;
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Breast cancer
Your oral health will suffer and you may likely face issues such as:
- Plaaq built up
- Tooth decay
- Tooth loss
- Gum disease
- Bad breath
- Cavities
- Tooth stains
- Oral cancer
- Illnesses in other parts of the body and
- Abscesses and infections
Benefits of dental checkup
- Prevents plaq, tartar, cavities and decay
- Keeps gum disease in check
- Can identify onset of oral cancer
- Can help in detecting symptoms of any other disease
- Routine dental visits include a professional cleaning to remove Plaaq and tartar
- Scaling helps to reduce the risk of heart disease by eliminating bacteria which may otherwise infect the blood vessels throughout the body
- Regular dental check-up is a critical part of preventive oral health care
Dental checkup procedure
- At each checkup the dentist will examine your teeth, gums and mouth and enquire about your general health and also any
- Problems that you have had with your oral health since the last visit
- The dentist may clean your teeth if need be and include dental x-rays or other diagnostic procedures like oral cancer screening
- They may advice you to see an expert if any issues are diagnosed
- They may also guide you on how to maintain proper oral hygiene
- They may check your face neck and mouth for abnormalities
How often should you go to a dentist?
It is a standard recommendation that both children and adults should visit a dentist every 6 months. Many insurance companies cover 2 checkups per year.
But is depends on an individual oral health. Your dentist will be the best person to advice how often you should come in for a checkup. Most people who practice proper oral hygiene and care, may need to see a dentist every 6 months, but there could be exceptions. Your dentist may ask you to come for check-up more frequently if you are:
- Pregnant
- A cancer patient
- Diabetic
- A smoker
- A heart patient.
Did you know that the greatest cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease? So, make your dental checkups a part of your life and save your pearly whites!