Many people wonder about the the importance of regular visits to their dentist and why their doctor may schedule them for several visits in a year.

Your oral health is incredibly important. Without regular visits, you may find that your teeth begin to slowly decay because of cavities or that filling and crowns crack. What’s more, infections can go unnoticed and lead to major medical problems. Going for a regular visit can even help to detect and begin treatment for oral cancer.

Ideally, you should be visiting your dentist every six months, but the office may schedule you for more frequent visits if required for your oral health.

You may think that the importance of regular visits is only to check for tooth decay, also known as cavities. Your appointment with the dentist is much more than that. Your dentist or dental hygienist will also check for signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease, as well as possible indications that you might have diabetes or a deficiency in a vitamin. When you go for a dental check-up, all of these things are going to be addressed so that you can be in the best health possible. Your smile, confidence and health are worth the half-yearly exams that you will schedule!

When visiting the dentist, you should expect the following:

• examination of your gums and any signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease.
• Examination of loose teeth, missing teeth and crowns, as well as cracked fillings or broken teeth.
• Examination of tooth decay, which may require fillings or root canals depending on the severity of the decay.
• Examination of the entire mouth to detect signs and symptoms of mouth cancer or problems with the joint of the jaw (TMJ disorders).

DENTAL HYGIENE

During your visit, your dental hygienist will also perform a professional cleaning of the teeth. The cleaning will remove any hardened plaque, also known as calculus, from the surface of each tooth.

As you can see, the importance of regular visits is apparent and can definitely save you from headaches in the future. After all, prevention is better than having to take care of something major. Your dental team will be able to teach you how to properly brush your teeth and what you need to do when it comes to flossing between teeth. You will want to speak with your dentist to find out how often you should be scheduling appointments to preserve your good oral hygiene.

Your smile is such an important part of your personality, so it’s important that you take good care of it by visiting the dentist regularly!