Why are Dental Exams Important?
Many patients fear the dentist, and therefore avoid their
bi-annual appointment. Dodging the dentist is not recommended, and it’s
important to keep up with regular dental care. A dental appointment has a
number of benefits that impact not only the care of your mouth, but also the
overall health of your body. If you are someone who allows too much time to
pass before seeing the dentist, the following list might be helpful and
convince you to call your Gilbert, AZ dentist to schedule an appointment.
Regular cleanings will help:
Prevent tooth decay. General
cleanings remove soft plaque and hard plaque buildup from teeth. Along with
regular dental care, a general cleaning is the only way to prevent cavities and
tooth decay. However, a professional cleaning can target hard-to-reach places
in the mouth that may be overlooked during your at-home care. A dentist will
typically remove plaque and tartar, polish teeth, floss teeth, and possibly
provide a fluoride treatment.
Detect problems
early. A dentist will perform diagnostic tests to determine whether any
oral problems exist or whether they could exist in the future. A dentist will
examine the teeth, gums, and jaw as well as perform a head and neck examination
to check for any health concerns. A dentist might check your bite, examine your
tongue, check for broken or loose teeth, and take x-rays.
Give advice on what
to do between visits. Although your dentist will remove most of the hard
and soft plaque present on your teeth, it’s still important to keep up with
regular dental care in between visits. This means brushing and flossing
properly, and you can learn the correct technique and guidelines by seeking
advice from your dentist. Routine checkups not only professionally clean your
teeth, but they also help you learn beneficial oral hygiene tips.
After a routine cleaning, your dentist will comment on the
health of your teeth and gums, and will suggest any additional care you could
be taking in between visits. It is important to visit the dentist every six
months for a general cleaning and examination. By visiting the dentist
regularly as well as demonstrating good daily oral hygiene, you can be sure
your teeth will be healthy for years to come.
