Why Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year?
Is your mouth healthy? This question may seem easily answerable, and many people with good hygiene habits are likely to assert the health of their teeth and gums. However, how do you know? Without a professional assessment, it can be impossible to detect the beginnings of dental problems, and without ongoing professional hygienic assistance, problems are all the more likely.
It is far easier and less expensive to prevent dental complications than it is to treat them through restorative dentistry. To help our Philadelphia patients make smart choices for their health (and their wallets), we present the following reasons why routine dental appointments are important.
The Benefits of Professional Cleanings
While good hygiene truly does start at home, a toothbrush simply cannot remove plaque in the way that professional hygienic tools can. Even the most responsible, thorough brushers are likely to leave some plaque behind. Over time, this plaque hardens into tartar, which can be extremely difficult to remove short of a professional cleaning.
By visiting your dentist or dental hygienist twice yearly, you can expunge remnants of plaque and tartar from teeth and gums, greatly reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. In addition to the removal of bacteria, your teeth will be polished, making it harder for bacteria to attach to them in the future.
The Benefits of a Dental Exam
Preventative dentistry isn’t just about keeping teeth clean. By undergoing a professional exam, your cosmetic dentist can identify any signs of disease, decay, alignment issues, or similar problems. In one brief exam, a dentist can check for:
- Gum disease
- Loose teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Bite misalignment
- Tooth decay
- Chipped teeth
- Damaged or worn restorations
- Jaw problems (i.e., TMJ)
Through occasional X-rays - usually once a year - any evidence of cavities can be clearly seen. By catching decay in its early stages, it can be treated much more effectively and with little detriment to the tooth.
Additionally, oral health is inherently connected to one’s general well-being. An experienced dentist can even look for signs of certain health complications, such as vitamin deficiency, osteoporosis, diabetes, or oral cancer.
Finally, your at-home hygiene can be discussed and possibly improved upon. If teeth show signs of abrasion, a softer toothbrush can be suggested; if there is tartar near the edges of teeth, flossing habits can be discussed; if gingivitis is present, an effective mouth wash can be recommended. Patients are often surprised at how much we can help them improve their basic dental health.
Additional Services
Depending on a patient’s individual needs, we offer a variety of additional preventative services during exams and cleanings. If your teeth require further defense against decay, fluoride therapy can strengthen them and ward off cavities. Likewise, dental sealants can be applied to the molars of teeth as an extra layer of protection. In the event you are concerned about the possibility of oral cancer, a quick and painless test can search for definitive evidence. No matter your dental health or concerns, our numerous services are here to give you the best preventative care available.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Be proactive with your health. Schedule a cleaning and check-up every six months. Contact us today with any questions or to schedule your next appointment.
