Chances are, you receive a text or an email notifying you that it’s time to return to the dentist every few months. And if you aren’t, you probably need to be! Boger Dental is here to explain the answer to this question: Why is it so important to schedule regular dental check-ups?
What to Expect
Depending on your situation, your conversations with our doctors will vary from appointment to appointment—but here are some of the things you can expect from a typical check-up.
- Medical History Review: Your dentist will review your current medical history, including any medications you take or new changes to your overall health since your last visit. This information helps us to understand your current health status and potential impacts on your oral health.
- Visual Exam: We’ll inspect your mouth, gums, teeth, and surrounding oral structures for any signs of problems such as decay, gum disease, oral cancer, or other oral health issues. We use a small mirror and a bright light to get a good view of hard-to-reach areas.
- X-Rays: You may or may not be due for x-rays. Depending on your situation, you may receive additional x-rays to assess the condition of your teeth, jawbone, and surrounding tissues. X-rays can reveal issues that might not be plainly visible in the exam, such as cavities between teeth or problems below the gumline.
- Professional Cleaning: It’s vital to receive professional cleanings regularly to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from your teeth. This includes scaling (removal of plaque) and polishing to leave your teeth smooth and clean.
- Examination of Existing Dental Work: If you have restorative work such as fillings, crowns, bridges, or dental implants, we will check their condition to ensure that they’re functioning properly and in good shape. If not, we can address them in the check-up or schedule a future appointment.
- Oral Cancer Screenings: Sometimes, we will perform a screening to check for signs of abnormal tissue growth or lesions in the mouth, lips, tongue, throat, or neck. Early detection of oral cancer is crucial for successful treatment.
- Discussions and Recommendations: By the end of the appointment, we’ll discuss our findings with you and provide personalized recommendations for maintaining or improving your oral health. This can include guidance on dietary practices, hygiene, preventative measures, or treatment options for other identified issues.
Why You Shouldn’t Skip
There are a lot of reasons to make sure you keep up with your visits to our office:
- Early Detection of Dental Issues: More visits mean more opportunities to identify potential or existing issues, especially in their early stages. These include cavities, gum disease, oral infections, or oral cancer. Early detection means prompt treatment and intervention.
- Prevention of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease: Professional cleanings help to reduce plaque buildup, which is a major contributor to decay and gum disease. By keeping your gums and teeth healthy, you can lower your risk of developing cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis.
- Maintaining Oral Hygiene: You might be slacking in your dental routine and not even know it. Checking in with our team allows us to provide advice on areas of work.
- Education: When you’re faced with an unfamiliar dental issue, we can guarantee our doctors are a better source of information than a search engine. Visiting us lets you have that one-on-one time you need to find answers.
- Prevention of Bad Breath: Sometimes, bad breath has underlying causes. Oral infections, gum disease, and dry mouth can all contribute to halitosis. We can recommend treatments to address any of these factors.
- Peace of Mind: Staying up to date with your medical professionals is a great way to provide yourself with comfort—and the dentist is no exception to this. You can know that your oral health is being monitored and cared for by a team of experts. Answering and addressing concerns and questions during checkups and help to alleviate anxiety and give you confidence in your dental health.
- Long-Term Cost Savings: Preventative dental care is generally more economical than more advanced treatment for developed issues. By investing in regular checkups and preventative treatments, you can potentially avoid the need for extensive restorative procedures or emergency dental care, saving you both time and money in the long run.
Staying on Schedule
Our office will help you remember when it’s time for your next cleaning or other general check-up! Also, remember that you should call us anytime you need an additional appointment, especially to address any issues or injuries that may arise. We’re committed to helping you every step of the way. If you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact our Plymouth office at 763-463-0724.