Maintaining a healthy smile is essential for overall health. Regular dental checkups help prevent dental diseases and ensure long-term oral health. Despite the benefits, only 62.7% of Americans visit the dentist each year, and, unfortunately, this number is declining.
These visits are critical for cleaning teeth and identifying potential issues early on, such as cavities, gum disease, and even more severe conditions like oral cancer. By catching problems early, dentists can manage them before they become major concerns.
Learn why you should book semi-annual dental exams and cleanings and how regular checkups can benefit you.
Plaque and Tartar Removal
Even the most thorough daily brushing and flossing can miss spots, particularly in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Over time, plaque builds up and hardens into tartar, which can only be removed by professional dental tools during cleaning. Regular removal of plaque and tartar helps prevent cavities and periodontal disease.
Cavity Prevention
Regular dental checkups often include X-rays, crucial for detecting decay between teeth and under existing fillings. Early detection of cavities allows for simpler treatments like fillings, which are less invasive and more cost effective than treatments required for more advanced decay, such as root canal therapy or crowns.
Gum Disease Detection and Prevention
Early stages of gum disease, such as gingivitis, can often be reversed with proper dental hygiene and professional cleaning. Regular checkups allow dentists to diagnose these conditions early and intervene with treatments like scaling and root planing before they progress to more severe periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss and require more extensive procedures.
Checking for Oral Cancer
During regular dental checkups, dentists can screen for oral cancer signs such as sores, lumps, and irregular tissue changes in the mouth, throat, and neck. Early detection is critical, as oral cancer often presents without initial pain and can escalate quickly.
Preventing Bad Breath
Chronic bad breath, or halitosis, is often caused by poor oral hygiene, gum disease, or trapped food particles. Regular dental cleanings are vital as they remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria—the leading causes behind unpleasant odors. Dentists also treat gum disease and offer guidance on better brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use to minimize bacteria.
They may also address other causes like dry mouth (xerostomia) and recommend treatments that increase saliva to cleanse the mouth naturally.
Keeping Track of Potential Problems
Regular checkups provide a continuous record of your oral health. Dentists can compare your dental health over time, tracking any changes and addressing potential issues, like gradual bone loss, receding gums, or the slow development of cavities under existing fillings, before they become serious problems.
Dentists use this historical data to identify potential problems early. For example, if X-rays indicate that the density of your jawbone is decreasing, this could signal potential issues such as bone loss related to periodontal disease or other conditions.
By identifying these changes early, your dentist can explore the underlying causes and recommend preventive measures or treatments to help slow or potentially reverse the condition’s progression.
Take Action to Preserve Your Oral Health
Protect your oral health and book an appointment with A Dental Place today. Our professional care and cutting-edge technology will ensure your smile receives the attention it deserves. Visit us to experience a proactive approach to dental wellness, where your comfort and health are our priority.
