There are plenty of reasons to get a dental checkup. Most importantly, dental checkups keep your teeth and gums in good shape, and they prevent oral disease. The checkups consist of two parts, the checkup and the cleaning. Here’s why both portions are important.
During the checkup part, your dentist examines your teeth for cavities, plaque and tartar. Buildup of plaque and tartar can lead to oral disease, so checkups help you prevent disease or detect it early. To check your gums, the dentist uses a tool to gauge how much space is between your teeth and gums. This is to look for gum disease; spaces tend to be deeper when gum disease is present. Your dentist also takes a look at areas such as your head, neck, tongue and throat. He or she is searching for possible indicators of swelling or cancer. In fact, dental checkups decrease your risk of developing later-stage heart disease and other conditions because these oral exams are effective at detecting problems.
In the cleaning portion of a checkup, your dentist employs a method called scaling to remove tartar. You can’t perform this removal at home; brushing and flossing only takes care of plaque, and tartar develops after plaque builds up and hardens. Your dentist might use a paste to polish your teeth, and he or she will floss to clean the areas between your teeth. These cleaning methods prevent cavities, stop tooth loss and inject extra sparkle into your smile.
Even if you practice excellent oral hygiene at home, brushing and flossing several times a day, you realize the benefits of dental checkups. These checkups stave off bad breath and keep you healthy. Aim to visit the dentist every six months to achieve maximum gain. In fact, one of the most intangible—but most critical—benefits of a dental checkup is the assistance to your wallet. When you prevent problems or catch them early, you do not need to spend a lot of money later to treat these issues.
To help out your dentist and stay healthy, prevent plaque buildup between visits. Brush your teeth two times a day with a toothpaste that has fluoride. Floss at least one time daily, and reach for the mouthwash to help fight plaque. Feel free to use it for bad breath as well.
You’ve read about several reasons to get a dental checkup. For more in-depth information on the benefits of such checkups, take a look at the website of a dental clinic in Raleigh.
