With so many diseases coming up every day, the importance of regular dental visits cannot be overlooked. So here we are to help you learn why practicing healthy habits for your oral hygiene is crucial for your health and how a regular dental checkup can save you from long-term problems.

The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups and Cleaning

Most people believe that going to a dentist for a regular dental checkup is not important, and so it isn’t usually on the top of their to-do list. Even when they experience pain or sensitivity, they opt for home remedies or take painkillers. The main reason behind this is related to dental phobia. Approximately 12-36% of people avoid visits to the dentist due to dental anxiety and fear.

A dentist’s office can indeed seem like a scary place and not somewhere you would want to go regularly. However, there is a long list of reasons that would make you schedule an appointment right away. Keep reading to learn why regular dental visits are important for oral health.

Dental Check-Up Procedure

A dental visit typically consists of two parts. When talking about a standard checkup, the dentist first assesses the overall health of your mouth, including your teeth, gums, and tongue. Sometimes they also take x-rays if there is any evidence directing towards a problem to help them understand what’s going on within your mouth.

After that, the dentist cleans your teeth and gums to remove any plaque or tartar accumulation from the teeth. They use a variety of instruments, including scrapers and tiny mirrors. Your dentist will give you a follow-up plan and ask you to make appointments for any additional work that could be required, like a filling or root canal.

The Benefits of a Regular Dental Checkup

1. Prevent Future Oral Issues

Frequent visits to your dentist’s office can help prevent future oral issues that may arise with improper oral hygiene. Visiting your dentist frequently minimizes the risk of any long-term problems. You might believe that going to the dentist is required only when facing a concern.

On the contrary, an appointment will help you spot issues that could cause you pain down the road. For instance, you might not spot a cavity yourself, but your dentist will. Many people have lots of plaque buildup and gum disease, but they go unnoticed. A dentist can spot these issues early on and save you from a great deal of pain.

2. Treat Plaque, Tartar, Tooth Decay & Cavities

Even if you deeply care about your teeth and maintain proper oral hygiene, you can still fail to clean all the nooks and crannies in your mouth. Reaching your back molars is notoriously difficult. That’s why seeing your dentist every six months is advised. They examine your teeth thoroughly for early signs of tooth decay. If there are minor cavities that you fail to notice, they will get you started on the fluoride treatment immediately.

Similarly, the greater cavities will be treated with other treatments like dental fillings. Your dentist will also clean your teeth, remove plaque and tartar from your gums and teeth, and leave your mouth sparkling clean.

3. Avoid Gum Diseases

Most gum diseases do not display any major symptoms in their early stages. As a result, protecting your gums from diseases becomes pretty challenging. Fortunately, dentists are well-equipped and trained to spot gum diseases even when the symptoms are not prominent. During the checkup, your dentist ensures the gums are firm and free of swelling.

They will also check receding gums and deep gum pockets. If there are any issues, the dentist will treat the underlying cause. When treated early, the diseases will likely stay confined and not create a big problem. The dentist will also advise you to improve your oral habits and guide you through caring for your gums.

4. Detect Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is more common than you’d think. In 2022, so far, 54,000 new cases of oropharyngeal cancer have been reported in the USA. The number of deaths due to oral cancer is estimated at 11,230. In addition to examining your teeth and gums, your dentist will look for worrying signs that could potentially lead to oral cancer.

When spotted early, the chances of curing are significantly higher. On the contrary, oral cancer can develop into a deadly, lethal disease that may affect your life if it goes undetected. Dentists use special tools to look for dead tissues caused by tumors. This exam is called a VELscope cancer exam and does not take longer than two minutes. With this painless exam, the chances of undetected oral cancer are incredibly slim.

5. Detect Systemic Health Issues

Another great benefit of going for a regular dental checkup is a neck and head exam. Dentists check lymph nodes, jaws, and neck for lumps, swelling, deformities, or other abnormal symptoms. If they detect a problem, they will refer you to an appropriate medical professional so you can get proper treatment for the pain.

6. Education on Proper Dental Hygiene

Everyone is aware of the importance of proper dental hygiene, but sadly, many people are not aware of the appropriate ways to maintain a healthy oral cavity. Most people only brush their teeth once a day and hardly ever floss. This might not sound like a great deal, but it can lead to many significant issues in the future.

Visiting your dentist will help you understand how brushing your teeth after meals and flossing at least once a day can help fight bacteria. Regular dental checkups and cleaning help in preserving the life of the teeth. Your dentist will provide you with a personalized dental hygiene routine so you can keep your oral health in pristine condition.

7. Help With Other Related Issues

You might be experiencing certain issues without even realizing it’s all connected and related to dental health. These issues include concerns with headaches from grinding your teeth or even lost sleep due to toothaches. A regular visit to the dentist will help target and treat these issues. If you feel sensitivity in your teeth and think it’s insignificant and will go in time, the dentist will pinpoint the underlying cause and treat it.

Another common problem faced by people is chronic bad breath. People usually do not understand that it’s not just due to morning breath or eating onions. Instead, it is caused by halitosis which occurs due to constant poor oral hygiene habits. It’s not something you can treat yourself or will go on its own. The dentist will pinpoint the case behind the foul odor and help you fix it to save you from embarrassing situations.

Bottom Line

Hopefully, this blog helped you understand the importance of a regular dental checkup and how it can preserve the life of your teeth. Teeth have a significant impact on your appearance, and without keeping them in the best condition, you basically compromise on your beautiful smile. So, give your oral health due importance by visiting specialists at Anderson Lake Dental and getting rid of all your dental issues at the right time.

Schedule An Appointment!