You may have heard before that you should see your dentist every 6 months, but why? Routine checkups and cleanings are important for your oral health, even if you brush and floss regularly. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy not only gives your smile its great appearance, but it also helps your overall health! Read on to discover why preventive dentistry is vital to the well-being of your pearly whites.
What Happens During a Checkup and Cleaning?
Checkup or Examination
During a checkup, your dentist will check your teeth for cavities and decay, and they may take X-Rays to look for any issues that can’t be seen with the naked eye. They will examine your teeth for plaque and tartar to get a better idea of your oral health and smile. Tartar occurs when plaque isn’t removed, and it hardens. Tartar can only be removed by a professional dentist, and it can lead to gum disease and decay.
After that, your gums will be checked with a dental tool to measure the spaces in between your teeth and gums. This is how your dentist checks for gum disease. If you have shallow pockets, you’re in the clear. But, if you have deeper pockets in between your teeth and gums, you may need periodontal therapy to remedy your gum disease.
Your dentist will also carefully examine your throat, tongue, face, head, and neck to look for any signs of health issues. They may also use a special tool to detect oral cancer, which can often go undetected without regular dental visits.
Cleaning
After your checkup, your teeth will be cleaned, and your dentist will remove any tartar that you couldn’t clean away at home. Once your teeth are plaque and tartar-free, you may get your teeth polished, so you can leave the office with a beautiful looking smile.
Why Are Routine Dental Visits Important?
It is vital to your oral and overall health that you see your dentist at least twice a year. Checkups and cleanings are the best way of preventing and detecting early signs of cavities, gum disease, cancer, and more.
They’re also good for your oral health. Gum disease, which affects about half of the population, is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and more. If you skip your checkups and cleanings, you may need periodontal therapy to help your gums. During this process, your dentist will clean out bacteria and tartar trapped under your gumline.
Keeping a good oral health routine like brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash is a great way to stay healthy in between checkups and cleanings. This helps prevent tartar from building up and keeps your teeth and gums healthy.
Now that you know more about why regular dental visits are so important, have you made your two appointments in 2019? Contact your dentist to keep your smile looking and feeling great.
Meet the Dentist
A graduate of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Jane C. Puskas is a highly-trained dentist who provides expert care to all of her patients. She likes stressing the importance of routine dental appointments to prevent issues before they occur in the first place. She currently runs her own practice, and she can be contacted through her website or by phone at (404) 261-7488 for any questions.