Regular dental checkups are important for protecting your oral health. Dentists recommend that healthy people have a checkup once every six months, although some people might need to visit the dentist more often. Here are a few reasons why you need regular dental checkups, even if you don’t have any symptoms of oral health problems.
1. Dentists Deep-Clean Your Teeth
Visit the dentist for a regular clean to keep your mouth bacteria-free. Even if you brush and floss your teeth every day, plaque will probably still build up in parts of your mouth that are difficult to reach. As this plaque hardens, it turns into tartar, which is difficult to remove.
Dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar, leaving your teeth cleaner than you can achieve at home. Remember how good it felt to run your tongue over your squeaky-clean teeth after your last checkup? Keep that feeling in mind as you schedule your next dental visit.
2. Regular Dental Checkups Reduce Tooth Decay
Prevent tooth decay by visiting your dentist regularly. Your dentist can detect cavities when they are still very small and insert fillings to stop the decay from spreading. If you put off dental visits, the decay could spread to the root of the tooth, which could result in you needing a root canal or even losing the tooth.
3. Regular Dental Checkups Prevent Gum Disease
Dental plaque not only harms teeth, it can lead to infections. As plaque hardens into tartar, the buildup can cause an infection in the gums. Gum disease makes gum tissue weak and unable to support your teeth. If you leave gum disease untreated, your teeth could loosen or even fall out.
Dentists detect the early signs of gum disease and help you take action to stop it from spreading. Your dentist might recommend that you use a particular type of toothpaste and have more regular dental cleanings to keep gum disease at bay. Follow this advice; it could save your smile.
4. Regular Dental Checkups Protect Overall Health
Studies link gum disease to heart disease and strokes. By keeping gum disease under control, regular dental checkups could help to reduce your risk of developing these life-threatening conditions.
5. Dentists Help Keep Bad Habits Away
Without regular dental checkups, it is easy to slip into habits that can harm your oral health. Eating too much sugar, grinding your teeth at night, biting your nails, and smoking can all harm your teeth. Even brushing too hard or at the wrong time can be a problem.
Dentists can spot the effects of these bad habits and let you know if you are harming your teeth. During a checkup, a good dentist will take the time to show you correct brushing techniques.
7. Regular Dental Checkups Lead to a Whiter Smile
During your dental checkup, the dentist cleans away plaque and tartar that can make your teeth appear yellow. As a result, you might notice your smile looking whiter after the appointment. Show it off by smiling confidently at your friends and family. Be sure to take a photograph to remember how good you looked. You can use it as motivation to schedule your next checkup.
8. Regular Dental Checkups Protect Dental Work
If you have braces, dentures, crowns, dental implants, or bridges, regular dental checkups are even more important. Now you have invested all that money and time in dental work, why would you not want to protect it?
Regular dental checkups the teeth, gums and bone structures that support dental work. If infection or decay sets in, your dentist might have to remove your crowns, implants, or bridges because the gums are no longer healthy enough to support them.
9. Regular Dental Checkups Save Money
Many people skip dental checkups because they want to save money. However, skipping appointments can lead to more expense in the long run. In general, simple procedures such as dental fillings are relatively inexpensive. Waiting to see a dentist can mean you need more expensive treatments, such as root canal surgery. If you struggle to afford dental checkups, ask your dentist about dental plans which could help you spread the cost.
10. Insurance Covers Regular Dental Checkups
If you have dental insurance, regular dental checkups make even more financial sense. Insurance plans cover twice-yearly checkups, so if you’re covered there is really no reason not to see your dentist every six months.
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Regular dental checkups make sense for everyone. Of course, if you have symptoms of an oral health problem, such as tooth or gum pain, you should see a dentist right away instead of waiting for your six-month checkup. But if even you are feeling completely healthy, it is still a good idea to see a dentist twice a year. Schedule your appointment today to help keep your smile healthy.
