According to the American Dental Association (ADA), you should see your dentist at least once every six months or biannually. It is necessary because good oral hygiene combined with regular visits to a dentist keep your mouth and teeth healthy.
Unfortunately, a lot of people dismiss the importance of regular dentist visits, because they think they aren’t necessary or that their teeth are healthy enough to not garner the need for routine visits. Nothing could be farther from the truth!
Here is why you should always see your dentist for routine visits – regardless of whether you have symptoms.
What Happens During a Routine Visit to a Dentist?
To understand what makes routine visits beneficial, we need to first understand what happens during a visit. During a routine appointment, your dentist will check the following for signs of disease or structural issues:
- Your face, jaw, and neck, including your lymph nodes
- Your tongue, teeth, and gums, as well as the inside of your mouth
- Your bite and how your teeth line up
- The state of your dental fillings and appliances
By performing a comprehensive check of your mouth and teeth, your dentist will be able to see early signs of issues and treat them before they have the chance to become bigger problems. There could be a lot of things going on in your mouth that you fail to see. Many dental problems do not cause noticeable symptoms in the beginning stages, such as gum disease and cavities. Routinely seeing a dentist can save you from ignoring a potentially significant condition that will cost a lot of money, time, and pain to fix in the future.
Professional Cleaning
Part of your routine visit to the dental clinic is a professional cleaning, during which a hygienist uses special tools to clean your teeth and gum line. Plaque — which is a sticky deposit on the teeth that can turn into tartar and from there lead to cavities — will be removed. Tartar will also be removed using a scaler, which is a tool with a hook on one end. After the teeth and gum line have been thoroughly cleaned, the hygienist will polish your teeth to give them a smooth and glossy appearance. Regular cleanings help you stave off cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease, which could lead to tooth loss in the future.
Patient Education
After an examination and cleaning, your dentist will tell you about the state of your mouth and teeth. If needed, they will provide recommendations for brushing, flossing, and all other practices, including lifestyle changes that can help improve your oral health. The dentist may make adjustments to the frequency of your visits, based on their assessment of your mouth health and risk factors. For instance, a person with cavities or gum disease will likely need more frequent visits.
With the benefits you get from regularly seeing your dentist, there is no reason to delay. If you want to have optimal oral health, prevent cavities, decay, gum disease, and tooth loss, and maintain a beautiful smile, see your dentist regularly.
Family Dentist in Minneapolis-St. Paul
The dental team at Hagerman Dental Care provides comprehensive dental services for optimal oral health. In addition to general dentistry services, we also provide cosmetic, restorative, and other highly advanced dental services.
Our friendly team strives to create a positive experience for all our patients. To schedule an appointment, call (651) 646-2392 or use our online request form.