Top 5 Reasons for Regular Dental Checkups

by | Jun 18, 2018 | Health Featured

Many people have a very busy schedule, which is why they can’t find time for a dental checkup in their hectic week. If you are one of those people, please keep in mind that dentists play an important role in improving and maintaining our oral health. Your dentist can keep both your teeth and your gums in tip-top shape by maintaining optimal hygiene and health of your teeth.

It’s recommended to see the dentist at least every six months. Why? Well, read on to find out top five reasons to visit your dentist.

  1. Get Rid of Oral Pain

Most people see the dentist when experiencing a severe toothache or strong pain in their teeth or gums. Don’t put off visiting your dentist if you are in pain. Don’t be fooled into thinking that it will get better on its own. No, it will not. The oral pain is very persistent. If the pain is accompanied by redness and/or swelling, be sure to see your tooth doctor right away.

  1. Tooth Decay Prevention

Just about every dentist can easily diagnose tooth decay (also called cavities or dental caries). This is actually a breakdown of teeth, i.e. the destruction of the outermost layer of teeth, which is mostly caused by sugary foods. In fact, it occurs because of acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. Note that dental caries tends to get worse every couple of months as plaque starts building up and gradually ruins a tooth. This is a good reason for you to visit your dentist every four months or so.

  1. Prevent Plaque, Cavities, and Tartar

Even if you use flossers and brushers on a daily basis that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are safe from plaque and tartar. That’s because of small hard-to-reach areas in your mouth that are often missed by flossing and brushing. You may have a hard time removing dental plaque on your own when it builds up and gets bigger. Once it solidifies and turns into tartar, it’s virtually impossible to remove without getting help from a dentist. Tartar can erode teeth or create the hole(s) in them. That’s how teeth cavities come into play. Not only that cavity can result in ache but it can also wreak havoc on your teeth if not treated timely. So, cavities give a warning sign and admonish you that it’s high time to see the dentist.

  1. Solve Gum Problems

Bad nutritional habits can result in a wide variety of gum diseases. That leads to tooth loss as well as other oral health ailments even though you have healthy teeth. This typically occurs when tartar build-up gives rise to the infection called gingivitis. As this oral infection starts to progress, it makes the gum — actually the tissue which attaches your teeth to gums — pull away from your teeth. During the regular dental checkups, your dentist will diagnose any gum issues early enough. Some gum problems can be completely reversed if detected on time.

  1. Check for Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is certainly the most serious thing that is linked to dental health. It can manifest itself in different ways and is usually associated with extended tobacco use. These are the typical symptoms of oral cancer:

  • Swellings, lumps, and rough spots on the gums and lips
  • Velvety red, white, speckled patches inside the mouth
  • Frequent bleeding
  • Unexplained and persistent pain or tenderness in the mouth, face or neck
  • Difficulty swallowing or chewing
  • Chronic sore throat
  • Hoarseness
  • Ear pain

Thankfully, this severe disease can be treated if detected at an early stage before it spreads. That’s another reason to regularly visit your dentist.

Avoiding dental checkups increases the chances of oral diseases. Likewise, ignoring dental issues gives them enough time to progress and spread over time. Let’s face it! Do yourself a favor and schedule dental appointments every so often. Get the most out of your dentist visits and reap the benefits in the long run. That’ll help you prevent tooth decay or plaque, improve your smile, and save you money in the end.

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