No one loves going to the dentist and finding out your twice-yearly check-up is due causes dread in many dental patients. While it’s not the most enjoyable thing you’ll ever do, it’s important to attend these regular visits for the sake of your smile and your health. The typical dental visit involves both cleaning your teeth and examining your teeth and gums to look for cavities or any other issues that need treatment. You may also have to undergo X-rays so your dentist can see your jaw bone and the roots of your teeth. If that sounds important, that’s because it is. Here’s why seeing your dentist every six months is so vital.
Ensures a Healthy Mouth
Besides having your teeth cleaned, going to the dentist on a regular basis is a good way to promote the health of your teeth, gums and jaw. Your mouth will be cleaner, which translates to healthier and your dentist can stay on top of any issues so that you can treat them before they become a big problem. If you forego your dental visits, you may have a cavity or gum disease and won’t know, which means it could get worse and cause other complications. By seeing your dentist every six months, you get encouragement and advice regarding the health of your smile.
Detect Issues Early
As mentioned above, failing to keep your dental check-up could mean missing an oral health issue that could be damaging if it’s not treated. The sooner your dentist can identify such issues, the sooner they can be taken care of, preventing the concern of further treatment or other oral health complications. For example, a cavity caught early is easy to fill in, but if it goes without treatment for too long, you could be facing surgery or even the loss of the tooth.
Helps Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease – periodontitis – is as serious as it sounds. Untreated gum disease can lead to loss of teeth and issues that involve other aspects of your health. When you don’t get your teeth cleaned regularly, plaque and tartar begin to build up, which can lead to irritation on your gums and increases the risk of gum disease as well. Your dentist removes that plaque and tartar at your visits, reducing the risk. At home, brushing and flossing regularly helps keep your teeth clean and healthy between check-ups.
Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease
You might wonder how your teeth can affect your heart, but the truth is that the two are linked. Since heart disease can be deadly, you definitely want to stay on top of your oral health. Bacteria that is present in your mouth when you have gum disease can migrate into your bloodstream, resulting in potentially deadly blood clots that block your heart’s blood flow. Plaque build-up can lead to swollen blood vessels on the heart. Regular cleanings and check-ups with your dentist means clean teeth, reducing this risk.
Helps Control Diabetes
People who have diabetes are at a higher risk of dental issues, so if you suffer from the condition, it’s that much more important to stay on top of your dental health. Seeing your dentist means he or she can monitor your gum health, something that makes it easier for you to control your blood sugar levels and stay healthy.
Lowers the Chance of a Premature Baby
Pregnant mothers who suffer from gum disease are at a higher risk of delivering a preterm baby. Pregnancy is also a time when women are more susceptible to suffering from gingivitis so dental visits become even more vital. A regular dental visit before and during pregnancy is an important component in a woman’s prenatal healthcare plan and can help ensure the delivery of a full term and healthy baby.
Ensures Good Overall Health
Your mouth is a sort of gateway to the health of your entire body and dentists often look for certain signs that you may need to have a medical check-up as well as a dental one. For example, symptoms of oral cancer, HIV, AIDS, heart disease, and diabetes are all things you dentist will be on the lookout for. Catching these issues early means a better prognosis and more effective treatment. Sleep apnea is also something your dentist can look for at regular check-ups.
Besides these health-related reasons to see your dentist, you’ll also be setting a good example for your kids, who also need to see their paediatric dentist every six months. Going to the dentist regularly is also a good way to foster a healthy self esteem as it keeps your teeth clean, straight and healthy looking. And finally, going to the dentist for a regular check-up means you will spend less on dental care because you won’t be spending too much on dental treatments because you’ll be staying on top of your health. And that’s something to smile about.