If you are registered with a dental practitioner, you probably receive reminders several times a year to attend a check-up appointment with either your dentist or hygienist. However, unless you are in pain, visiting the dentist might seem like a very low priority, particularly as most of us already have very busy lives with many other, more immediate priorities to attend to.
 

Why you should visit your dentist regularly

Unfortunately, millions of Americans are putting off their regular dental visits each year and their oral health is paying the price. You may not know it yet, but many dental problems develop slowly and gradually, only becoming apparent when some considerable damage has already been done. If this is the case, you could start to experience some painful and unpleasant symptoms, and the health of your teeth, and in some cases your body, could be at risk.

Dental check-ups form part of your preventative dental care

Regular dental visits give your professional an opportunity to assess the condition of your teeth and oral cavity in general. This means that if there is a problem developing, such as the first signs of a cavity or the beginning of periodontal disease, it can be spotted early. This will also enable preventative action to be taken, or treatment to be administered to prevent the problem from worsening. In many cases, this could prevent you from suffering from painful and debilitating symptoms, needing much further and more invasive treatment down the line, and enable you to avoid expensive, and extensive dental bills.

Prevent the development of periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is known by many names, including gum disease, gingivitis and periodontitis. However, they all essentially mean the same thing – your gums have become affected by dental bacteria and the health and longevity of your teeth are at risk. Periodontal disease occurs when plaque penetrates the gums and causes swelling, irritation and eventually infection. You will notice your gums bleeding when you brush, and they may start to pull away from the teeth, making each tooth look longer than usual.

If untreated, periodontal disease can cause the bones and connective tissue holding your teeth in place to deteriorate, putting you at serious risk of losing your teeth. The infection present in your gums can also enter the bloodstream and travel around your body, eventually affecting your heart, kidneys, liver, lungs and brain, as well as compromising the effects of your bodily systems.

The best way to combat periodontal disease is to ensure that your teeth are as healthy as possible, and you have excellent habits when it comes to your oral health. Visiting your dentist regularly forms part of the preventative care for periodontal disease.

Get professional-grade cleaning

Brushing and flossing daily is the most important thing that we can do to help keep our teeth and mouth healthy. This is because it removes bacteria and food debris before it has change to interact and cause plaque, decay and periodontal disease. However, even if you have the most thorough and efficient brushing technique possible, it is likely that you are still missing some of the areas of your mouth that are particularly hard to reach.

When you visit your dentist, you may be booked in for a professional dental clean. During this you will benefit from their tools, techniques and experience that enables them to perform the most thorough clean of your life. Your dentist or hygienist will also have unrivalled access to your mouth, so that they can see those areas which you might ordinarily miss.

If you have the start of gum disease, your dentist or hygienist may also perform something known as a periodontal pocket clean. This is where special tools are used to clean out the small pockets that form between your teeth and gums as part of periodontal disease. These are usually so small and narrow that they are simply impossible to clean using a toothbrush or even a water flosser. Fortunately, your dental team has the tools needed to be able to clear these of food debris and plaque, preventing the periodontal disease from worsening. In some cases, it might be performed as part of a procedure known as scaling and root planing. This also involves smoothing the enamel of the teeth so that it can reattach to the gums, essentially closing the periodontal pockets a little.

If you have been delaying your regular dental appointments, you could be putting the health of your teeth and body in jeopardy. Don’t take the risk – contact us today to book your professional dental check-up.