The Importance of Regular Dental Visits
The reason why the American Dental Association and your dentist recommend that you go back every six months is because regular dental visits are necessary to maintain good overall health. It’s extremely important that you practice good dental habits in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy. These visits can help your dentist determine early on if you have dental issues that need strict monitoring, and of course give you advice on how to maintain good oral health.
What Happens During a Dental Visit?
One part of a thorough dental examination is checking for the existence of tooth decay. During this check-up, your dentist will evaluate the health of your gums by checking for any signs of unusual indicators such an oral cancer, diabetes or vitamin deficiency. Then, your dentist will clean your teeth and reemphasize the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.
Dentists pay close attention to plaque and tartar because these two can build up easily between dental visits. Tobacco, dark beverages and certain acidic foods will stain your teeth, so dental experts will most likely remind you of what foods to avoid. It’s very important to completely remove plaque and tartar because they can eventually irritate the gum tissue, leading to gum disease.
During a regular dental visit, the dentist will take a look at your mouth, gums, tongue and throat. Here are routine areas to be examined:
Head and Neck Exam
It begins with examining these four:
- Face
- Neck
- Lymph Nodes
- Lower Jaw Joints (LJT)
Dental Exam
The dentist proceeds with the following exams:
- Gums: looking for any signs of gum disease
- Signs of Loose teeth
- Tongue
- Bite
- Signs of Cavities Tooth Decay
- Signs of Broken Teeth
- Signs of Damaged Fillings
- Changes in the gums that cover the teeth
- Evaluate dental appliances being used
- X-rays
Dental Cleaning
At the end part of a dental visit, your dentist will:
- Check how clean your teeth and gums are
- Remove plaque and tartar
- Review how to floss properly
When all examinations and cleanings are completed, the dentist will inform you of your current dental health and give recommendations on how to maintain or improve your dental hygiene. It is really important that you have regular dental visits every 6 months, and that you provide exceptional dental hygiene in between those visits. Doing this will not only keep your teeth and gums healthy, but also give you a boost of confidence wherever you go.