Even though seeing the dentist every six months may not be something everyone looks forward to, it is one of the most important appointments. If you’ve ever wondered why it’s essential to get regular dental cleanings and exams, we’ve got some food for thought for you.
Reasons Why We Should Visit the Dentist Consistently
Make careful to weigh all the hazards if you’re thinking about skipping a dental exam due to expense or another issue like time or dental phobia. The long-term costs of not seeing the dentist will probably be substantially higher for both your budget and your comfort of mind. The following are some of the most crucial justifications for scheduling routine dental checkups:
Cancer of the mouth found
There are many different ways that oral cancer can present itself, and it is a hazardous condition. Oral cancer frequently goes undiagnosed and can advance swiftly to the point where it poses a life-threatening concern.
The probability of discovering oral cancer in time is significantly increased with routine dental examinations every six months since your dentist is qualified to identify these signs and symptoms. While you may not detect oral anomalies, your dentist will, which is crucial for the successful treatment of oral cancer.
The VELscope Cancer exams are non-invasive, painless, sometimes covered by MSP, and only take a minute or two to complete.
Cavities, plaque, and tartar
There are still small regions in the mouth that routine brushing and flossing overlook, even with the most careful daily brushers and flossers. Plaque that has accumulated becomes harder to remove because it hardens into tartar, which is exceedingly difficult to remove without help from a professional. Regular dental cleanings stop this from happening.
Rarely do cavities provide any early warning symptoms; instead, they only cause a minor soreness once the tooth has already begun to deteriorate. Once the damage has been done, you will need to make another appointment with the dentist to fix cavities and other oral problems.
Gum Illness
Plaque and tartar buildup can harm the oral gum tissues in addition to causing tooth decay. This happens when tartar buildup causes an infection where the gum and tooth meet. As a result, the gum separates from the tooth. Gingivitis is the name of the illness, and as it worsens, the gum tissue that connects the gums to the teeth degenerates.
When it reaches this stage, it is formally known as gum disease, and it is only at this stage that swelling, bleeding, or oral pain are likely to occur—gum disease results in the deterioration of gum tissue and the bone that supports teeth.
A dental professional may need to use radical treatment procedures because it is typical to witness teeth loosening or even coming out. Specialists not only demand additional visits and presumably a financial hit, but gum disease treatment may also need surgery, thorough cleaning, and medication, depending on the severity. Regular dental cleanings are crucial for identifying and treating gingivitis before it worsens to prevent all of this.
Controlling bad habits
Your dental health can be negatively impacted by various unhealthy behaviors, some of which you might not even be aware of. These behaviors include chewing ice, biting your nails, clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth, eating particularly sticky or hard candies, scrubbing your teeth too hard, consuming coffee and red wine, and smoking.
Your dentist can examine your mouth for any harm brought on by these or other behaviors that you would otherwise not have detected when you get routine dental exams. We highly suggest Dentist – Flagstaff, AZ, if you’re seeking a Dentist in Flagstaff.
Using X-rays, locate issues underneath the surface.
Taking x-rays of your teeth and jawbone is essential to visit your dentist every six months. Dental experts can detect problems that might be hidden from view by using X-ray scans to observe what’s going on under the surfaces of your mouth.
Impacted teeth, which are developing teeth that are prevented from pushing through the gum line, such as the wisdom teeth that are frequently seen, can cause issues like these. It is possible to identify damage to the jawbone and any bone deterioration, swelling, cysts, or tumors—all invisible without x-ray imaging.
Checks of the head, neck, and lymph nodes
Your dentist will examine your neck, jaw, and the lymph nodes found directly below your jawline for any swelling, lumps, or other abnormalities, in addition to inspecting your mouth, gums, and tongue for any indications of oral cancer.
If an anomaly is discovered, your dentist will inform you about it and recommend you to the proper medical specialist because it may be a symptom of a severe health problem.
Swollen lymph nodes are one region that may not feel or look abnormal. Still, when correctly diagnosed by a specialist, it may indicate some cancers or other conditions that need immediate care. The frequency of neck and thyroid gland examinations is significantly reduced if you don’t get routine dental exams.