Top 10 Reasons Why You Should See Your Dentist Every Six Months Most people should go to the dentist twice a year. During a typical check...
Top 10 Reasons Why You Should See Your Dentist Every Six Months
Most people should go to the dentist twice a year. During a typical checkup, both a hygienist and a dentist will see the patient. The hygienist will clean and polish your teeth, talk to you about how to take care of your teeth, and answer any questions you have. The dentist looks over what the hygienist did to clean your teeth, does an oral exam of your gums and teeth, diagnoses any oral health problems, orders X-rays (if necessary), and makes treatment suggestions. Not only are check-ups important for cleaning, but they can also help find problems early on.
1. Take care of small problems before they grow into big ones.
The cleaning and the exam are usually the two most important parts of a regular dental visit (or check-up). During the exam part of your visit, your dentist will closely look at your teeth for signs of tooth decay, like cavities, and evaluate your overall oral health, including the health of your gums. By going to the dentist for regular checkups, you can make sure that small problems don't turn into bigger ones. This can help you avoid the physical and financial pain of conditions that don't go away.
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2. Get your teeth cleaned by a professional to stop tooth decay.
Even people who brush and floss their teeth every day need to have a dentist clean their teeth twice a year. Plaque builds up over time in places that are hard to reach, and plaque that isn't removed can harden and turn into tartar. Most of the time, you can't get rid of tartar just by brushing and flossing, so going to the dentist regularly lets them remove any plaque and tartar that has built up since your last visit. This helps stop tooth decay, which can lead to cavities and other problems like Gingivitis, a form of gum disease.
3. Get your mouth checked for oral cancer, gum disease, and other problems.
The oral cancer exam is one of the most important parts of a regular checkup at the dentist. The dentist or hygienist will usually feel your jaw, neck, the insides of your lips and cheeks, the sides of your tongue, and the roof and floor of your mouth during this exam. Your hygienist or dentist will also look for signs of gum disease and, if necessary, can do more thorough tests on your gums.
4. Make your smile brighter and feel better about yourself.
Getting your teeth cleaned regularly is a great way to keep your smile looking great and to feel better about yourself. If your smile makes you feel bad, whether it's because your teeth are stained, chipped, cracked, or missing, we can help you look into a wide range of cosmetic dentistry options that will make you look and feel your best.
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5. Take care of your teeth and you'll take care of your whole body.
Did you know that the health of your mouth can affect how well other parts of your body work? For example, more and more studies are finding links between oral health and heart health. A study led by the University of California, Berkeley found that women who get dental care are less likely to get heart disease, have strokes, or have other heart problems. In a similar way, some systemic diseases, like diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, may show their first signs in the mouth. If your dentist notices something concerning during one of your regular visits, he or she can tell you about it and suggest that you see your primary care doctor.
6. Pay attention to your oral health.
People who go to the dentist every six months are usually more "aware" of their overall oral health than those who don't. For example, if you go to the dentist often, you're more likely to notice subtle signs like sensitive teeth or gums, as well as potential problem areas that you can bring up at your next visit. If you take care of your dental health, you're more likely to notice problems right away and fix them before they get worse.
7. Keep an eye on past dental work.
Some dental work can break down over time, so it's important to keep an eye on any previous work, especially if it was done by someone other than your current dentist. When you go to the dentist regularly, he or she can tell the difference between normal wear and tear and more serious problems. This lets them tell you how to strengthen or, in some cases, replace the work that has already been done. Most of the time, being proactive saves money and gives you more treatment options.
8. Give yourself the power of real-world knowledge.
People say that knowledge is power, and this is also true in dentistry. At Greenville Family Dentistry, we try to teach good dental habits and make an open, honest space where patients can ask questions without worrying about being judged or feeling embarrassed. By knowing why some dental habits are recommended and others are not, you can arm yourself with useful information and put it to use to take charge of your own dental health and well-being.
9. Show your children how to be good.
We all know that kids have an uncanny ability to act like us and pick up our habits, whether they're good or bad. When you go to the dentist often, you teach your kids how important it is to take care of their teeth and set them up for a lifetime of good dental habits. You also show them at a young age that going to the dentist is nothing to worry about or be afraid of.
10. Save money over time.
Last but not least, one of the most important reasons to go to the dentist often is to save money. By going to the dentist twice a year, you're more likely to find and fix problems before they get worse and require more expensive and invasive care. In other words, preventive care for your mouth is not too different from preventive care for your car. If you don't change the oil often enough, it will cost less to replace the engine than if you don't.