One of the most common pieces of advice you’ll hear when it comes to your teeth is that you should get a checkup and cleaning at least once every six months, and while this doesn’t sound like a lot, many people still find excuses to skip out on these appointments. Whether someone has dental anxiety or simply doesn’t think anything is wrong with their teeth, there’s always a reason to avoid professional dental hygiene. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious issues for both your smile as well as your overall health! Here are the top three reasons why you should always see your dentist at least twice a year.
Most Dental Problems Are Unnoticeable…At First
The most prominent oral health issues (namely cavities and gum disease) actually don’t cause any pain or other obvious symptoms during their earliest stages, so it’s easy for people to not notice them until they become quite advanced. At this point, the problem may require an extensive and costly procedure to fix. Routine checkups enable your dentist to find minor infections and damage so they can treat them before they turn into major headaches, leading to better oral health and a fuller wallet as the years go by!
Cleanings Can Stop Problems Before They Even Start
Daily brushing and flossing is absolutely essential to keeping your mouth healthy and cavity-free, but the truth of the matter is that your tools at home simply aren’t able to clean every single surface of your mouth. Everyone has hard-to-reach areas where plaque and tartar can accumulate and lead to decay. With a dental cleaning, however, a hygienist cannot only remove these harmful substances from every corner of your mouth, but they can show you where your unique problems spots are as well. This will enable you to brush and floss more thoughtfully and cut down on plaque in those areas, lowering your overall risk for decay.
They Can Protect Your Overall Health
More and more research is revealing something that dentists have known for a long time: a person’s oral health is directly correlated with their overall health. There are countless studies showing that patients with gum disease (THE most common oral health problem) tend to experience much higher rates of serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. Professional checkups and cleanings help manage the bacteria in your mouth so it can’t negatively affect the rest of your body. Plus, some overall health issues have initial signs that show up in the mouth, so by getting exams on a regular basis, your dentist can help you identify and start treatment for an issue as early as possible.
Life gets busy for everyone, so it’s easy to put off going to the dentist for a regular checkup and cleaning, but that one hour you spend at the office twice a year can save you a lot of time getting problems fixed that otherwise could have been prevented. By staying on top of your routine visits, you’ll enjoy a healthier mouth, more attractive smile, and spend much less on your dental care overall…what’s not to like? If it has been a while since your last checkup and cleaning, be sure to contact a dentist today…your future self will thank you!
About the Author
Dr. Michael Kirk is a general and cosmetic dentist who has been serving Oklahoma City families for more than 25 years. He always stresses the importance of prevention at his practice, which is why he and our team utilize the latest technology when providing routine checkups and cleanings. In fact, new patients can get their first exam and set of X-rays for absolutely FREE here at Grand Dental Studio. To learn more and schedule this visit, contact us today.