Many of my new patients are people who have not been to a dentist in years. Deep down they understand that going to the dentist is important, but because of financial reasons or other anxieties, they have put their dental health on the back burner.
Below are five reason why visiting your dentist twice a year is important not only to your oral but also your overall health. There are many links between gum disease and other health problems like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Therefore, routine dental visits are great ways to help increase your overall health. Don’t neglect your dental visits because they can help with not only these five concerns but much more.
1.) Catch the small things before they become big problems. There are many reasons why dental checkups are so important. However, probably the most important reason is that dental checkups allow you to be aware of the small problems in your mouth and have the ability to fix them before you need expensive and invasive procedures, like a root canal.
2.) Fillings have a life expectancy. Fillings are not permanent structures, and often times need to be replaced every few years in order to ensure the health of your tooth. However, with proper hygiene, like brushing and flossing, you will have less tooth decay. With less decay, your fillings may last longer. At every dental visit, dentists often check the health of your fillings, allowing you to be confident that your teeth are healthy and strong.
3.) No toothache does not mean no cavity. Just because your teeth don’t hurt, doesn’t mean that cavities are absent. Mild tooth decay doesn’t have many symptoms and can often go undetected for a long period of time. by visiting the dentist twice a year, we are able to detect all problem areas and treat them quickly.
4.) Gingivitis is curable. During routine checkups, the hygienist and dentist will check for gum disease. If you have gingivitis, it is curable with proper oral hygiene and dental visits. However, the minute you start slacking on this routine, the more likely the gingivitis will return or develop into the more problematic, periodontal disease.
5.) Dental teams are here to educate. If you need dental pointers or other questions answered, a routine cleaning is the perfect time to ask. Many dentists build into their missions the importance of patient education. There is no dumb question when it comes to your dental health.
Again, there are many reasons why you should visit your dentist twice a year. What I have listed here are just a few of the incentives to make sure your smile is healthy as possible. Don’t neglect the importance of these visits, and if you haven’t seen a dentist in a while, call and schedule an appointment today. Your smile will thank you.