When it comes to the world of dental checkups, experts recommend that you drop by your local dentist at least once every six months. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the importance of dental checkups, it’s important to understand what exactly happens in these sessions.
What happens in a dental checkup?
A typical dental checkup consists of thoroughly examining your teeth, gums, tongue, throat, head, neck, and face. Your dentist will start by checking for any cavities, i.e., tiny holes that develop in your teeth because of decay. They’ll also ensure that no bacteria or plaque can harden into tartar. Over time, these buildups can lead to painful oral diseases.
Once your teeth have been examined, the dentist will move on to measure the space between your teeth and gums. The shallower the spaces, the healthier your gums are. Your dentist will also check for any oral or health conditions symptoms, such as swelling, irritation, or cancer. Your dental surgeon can also clean your teeth during the visit to remove the buildup of tartar.
Importance of regular dental checkups
Avoid the buildup of tartar and cavities
As we’ve already discussed, tooth decay can cause cavities and the buildup of tartar in your teeth. This unfortunate situation occurs when foods rich in carbohydrates are left on the teeth to transform into acids. You can avoid these negative outcomes with regular dental checkups since your dentist will clean your teeth and use fluoride treatment to counter the decay.
Rule out the possibility of oral cancer
Oral cancer can be potentially life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated on time. If oral cancer has been prevalent in your family or you have been displaying some of its symptoms, a regular dental checkup is vital for your care. Your dentist will assess your oral state using Velscope, a special device that detects irregularities in your mouth. By getting this short and painless exam done every once in six months, you’ll have a very low chance of developing any oral disease.
Educate yourself on dental hygiene
One of the best ways to take good care of your teeth is to be properly educated on maintaining your oral and dental hygiene. There’s no shortage of people who brush their teeth only once a day and never even floss. While tons of resources are available online, your dentist can give you a more tailored manual on how to maintain your teeth.
Avoid bad breath
To top it all off, dental checkups can help treat chronic bad breath. This condition, known as halitosis, can occur due to poor dental hygiene practices in contrast to regular morning breath. Your dentist can help you understand the culprit behind your bad breath and how you can overcome it by changing your lifestyle or dental habits.
Hopefully, at this point, you’ve got a better idea of how important regular dental checkups are. So, what’s all the wait for? The Tooth Heaven team is ready to answer any questions that you might have!
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