Why You Should Schedule a Yearly Visit With a Dentist
It’s that time of year again. Time to make appointments for your yearly physical and teeth cleaning. While you may dread going to the doctor or sitting in a waiting room, getting a yearly check-up is crucial to keeping your body healthy and catching any issues early. The same goes for your teeth. While you may brush and floss regularly, it’s important to have a professional evaluate your oral health at least once a year. Here are reasons why you should schedule a yearly visit with a dentist.
1. Preventative Care
What Is It?
Preventative care is exactly what it sounds like: taking measures to prevent something bad from happening. When it comes to your oral health, this means taking steps to avoid cavities, gum disease, and other issues. While you may think that brushing and flossing regularly is enough to keep your mouth healthy, there are some things only your dentist can check for. For example, they can check for early signs of gum disease and cavities that may not be visible to the naked eye.
Why Is It Important?
Preventative care is important because it helps you avoid problems before they start. This can save you time, money, and pain in the long run. It’s much easier to avoid a problem than it is to fix one that’s already developed.
How Does It Work?
Your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth and check for any signs of problems. They may also take X-rays to check for cavities or other issues. If they find anything, they will work with you to develop a treatment plan.
2. Professional Cleaning
What Is It?
Professional cleaning is a deep cleaning that can remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth when harmful bacteria mix with saliva and leftover food particles. If plaque is not removed, it will harden into tartar. Tartar is very difficult to remove and can lead to gum disease and other problems.
How Does It Work?
Your dentist or dental hygienist will use special tools to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. They will also floss your teeth and polish them. This can help remove any surface stains and make your teeth look brighter. If you’re due for a cleaning, or if it’s been more than six months since your last visit to the dentist, call and schedule an appointment today. Your teeth will thank you!
3. Prevent Cavities
What Is It?
A cavity is a small hole that forms in your tooth. They are caused by plaque and tartar that are not removed from your teeth. When these substances mix with saliva and food, they form acids that eat away at your tooth enamel. This can cause a small hole to form in your tooth.
Why Is It Important?
Around 26% of people between the ages of 20 – 64 have untreated tooth decay, which can lead to cavities. Cavities are painful and can cause tooth loss. They can also lead to other problems, such as infections. The sooner you catch a cavity, the easier it will be to treat.
How Does It Work?
Your dentist will check for cavities during your appointment. If they find one, they will recommend a treatment plan. This may involve getting a filling, which is a small piece of metal or composite material that is used to fill the cavity. Cavities are no fun, but they can be prevented with regular dental visits. Schedule an appointment today to prevent cavities.
4. Prevent Gum Disease
What Is It?
Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can damage the tissues and bones that support your teeth. Gum disease is caused by plaque and tartar, which irritate the gums and cause them to become inflamed. However, there are several stages of gum disease. They include the following.
First is gingivitis, which is the early stage of gum disease. Gingivitis is characterized by red, swollen, and inflamed gums.
The second is periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease. Periodontitis can damage the gums, bones, and other tissues that support your teeth. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.
Why Is It Important?
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over half of adults aged 30 and older have some form of gum disease. That’s not all. Gum disease has also been linked to other serious health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
How Can I Prevent It?
The best way to prevent gum disease is to brush and floss your teeth every day. You should also see a dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. During these visits, your dentist will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. They can also detect gum disease in its early stages and provide treatment to prevent it from progressing.
If you have gum disease, there are treatments available that can help to improve your oral health. These include deep cleanings, scaling and root planing, and surgery. Your dentist will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
5. Bruxism Detection
What Is It?
Bruxism is the medical term for grinding or clenching your teeth. This can happen during the day or at night. Bruxism can cause pain, headaches, and other problems. It is especially common in children and adults who are under a lot of stress.
Why Is It Important?
Bruxism can be harmful to your teeth. It can wear down the enamel, which can lead to tooth decay and other problems. Bruxism can also cause pain in your jaw, face, and head. If you think you may be grinding your teeth, see your dentist. They can help you find ways to relieve the stress that may be causing it.
How Can I Prevent It?
There are several things you can do to prevent bruxism. These include:
- Avoid chewing on hard objects, such as ice or hard candy
- Practicing relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation
- Exercising regularly to reduce stress
- Seeing your dentist for regular check-ups
If you grind your teeth, your dentist may recommend wearing a mouthguard at night. This will help to protect your teeth from the damage caused by bruxism.
6. Oral Cancer Detection
What Is It?
Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects the tissues in your mouth. It can occur on your lips, tongue, gums, or anywhere else in your mouth. Oral cancer is more common in adults over the age of 40.
Why Is It Important?
Oral cancer is a serious health condition. If it is not detected early, it can spread to other parts of your body and become life-threatening. That’s why it’s important to see your dentist for regular check-ups. They can examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer and provide treatment if necessary.
How Can I Prevent It?
There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of oral cancer. Quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and protecting your lips from the sun are all good ways to prevent this type of cancer. If you are worried about oral cancer or have any symptoms that concern you, be sure to see your dentist immediately.
7. Prevent Bad Breath
What Is It?
Bad breath, also called halitosis, is a condition that causes an unpleasant odor to come from your mouth. It can be caused by things like eating certain foods, smoking, or not brushing your teeth properly.
Why Is It Important?
Bad breath can be embarrassing and make it hard for you to socialize. It can also signify an underlying health condition such as gum disease. If you have bad breath that doesn’t go away, see your dentist. They can help you find the cause and treat it.
How Can I Prevent It?
There are several things you can do to prevent bad breath. These include:
- Brushing and flossing your teeth every day
- Using mouthwash regularly
- Avoiding tobacco products
- Eating a healthy diet
- Drinking plenty of water
8. Address Minor Problems Before They Become Major Ones
What Are They?
Minor dental problems are things like small cavities, cracks in your teeth, or wear and tear. These problems can usually be treated with simple procedures, such as fillings or crowns.
Why Are They Important?
Minor dental problems can become major ones if they are not addressed. For example, a small cavity can turn into a large one if it is not filled. This can lead to pain, infection, and the need for more extensive treatment. Another minor problem that can become major is gum disease. Gum disease starts out as gingivitis, which is a mild inflammation of the gums. If it is not treated, it can progress to periodontitis, a serious infection of the tissue and bone that support your teeth.
How Can I Prevent Them?
The best way to prevent minor dental problems from becoming major ones is to see your dentist for regular check-ups. They can catch problems early and treat them before they become more serious.
9. It Can Help Your Dental Anxiety
What Is It?
Dental anxiety is a type of anxiety that can be caused by a fear of going to the dentist. It can make it hard for you to get the dental care you need.
Why Is It Important?
Dental anxiety can lead to avoidance of dental care, which can lead to more serious dental problems. By scheduling a yearly visit with your dentist, not only can you get the dental care you need, but you can also get used to going to the dentist and reduce your anxiety. This means that in future years, you’ll be more likely to get the dental care you need regularly.
How Can I Prevent It?
If you have dental anxiety, there are a few things you can do to prevent it from getting worse. First, begin by finding a dentist that you feel comfortable with. Second, talk to your dentist about your anxiety and ask them for tips on how to reduce it. Finally, try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualization before and during your dental appointment.
10. To Check on Your Implants and Dentures
If you have dental implants or dentures, it is important to see your dentist regularly to ensure they are still in good shape. Implants can sometimes come loose and need to be tightened. Dentures can also break or become ill-fitting over time. By seeing your dentist regularly, you can catch these problems early and avoid more serious problems in the future.
Your dentist can also check your fillings and crowns to ensure they are still in good condition. Remember, it’s not uncommon for fillings and crowns to get damaged or come loose over time. By seeing your dentist regularly, you can get them fixed before they become a bigger problem.
11. It’s Good for Your Overall Health
Your mouth is connected to the rest of your body, so it’s important to take care of it for your overall health. Studies have shown that there is a link between oral health and overall health. For example, gum disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Again, about 90% of health conditions have symptoms that manifest in the mouth first. That’s why it’s important to see your dentist regularly. They can catch these problems early and help you get the necessary treatment.
12. It Saves You Money in the Long Run
While it may seem like seeing your dentist regularly is expensive, it actually saves you money in the long run. This is because dental problems that are caught early are usually much less expensive to treat than those caught later.
For example, a small cavity can be filled for a few hundred dollars. However, if that cavity is not filled and becomes large, you may need a root canal, which can cost several thousand dollars.
Similarly, if gum disease is caught early, it can be treated with a simple cleaning. However, if it is not caught early and progresses to periodontitis, you may need more expensive treatments, such as surgery.
So, there you have it. These are just a few reasons you should schedule a yearly visit with your dentist. By doing so, you can avoid more serious dental problems, save money in the long run, and improve your overall health. Schedule your appointment with us today. Our team of experienced dentists is here to help you get the dental care you need.