Morris Oswald, DDS

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.