Brushing and flossing are the bare minimum we should be doing to care for our teeth.
Consider them the regular refueling of a vehicle.
But to ensure that things are in tip-top condition, we want to consider regular general dentistry visits. This is more akin to bringing your car to a mechanic for a tune-up.
Unless a specialist has an opportunity to get inside and assess things, we don’t have a true idea of the overall well-being.
Below we’ll look at 5 reasons to schedule regular general dentistry visits.
The Deep Clean
Even though we brush and floss regularly, we can’t always get into all the tight little nooks and crannies of the mouth.
Plaque can build along the bottom of the teeth along the gum-line. Left untreated it can harden into tartar, which is far more difficult to remove.
Cavities can quietly develop unnoticed until the rot has set, resulting in a toothache or soreness.
A general dentistry visit allows an expert to identify these issues before they develop into problems.
Healthy Gums
Gingivitis is a buildup of bacteria along the bottom of the teeth that causes the gums to pull back.
If left untreated, the gums can deteriorate, also damaging the underlying bone structure. This can cause bleeding, pain and even the loss of teeth.
A dentist can completely eliminate these bacteria. The sooner they can catch the early signs of gingivitis, the more of the gums they can preserve.
Recognizing Bad Habits
Even if we’re taking the necessary steps to maintain our dental health at home, we can be causing inadvertent damage.
Many of us brush too hard, damaging the enamel of our teeth. By visiting a dentist regularly, they can recognize these signs and encourage and remind us of the proper techniques.
Biting our nails, clenching our jaw, grinding our teeth — all of these are bad habits that we may not even notice that can cause long-lasting damage to our teeth. Having an expert hold us to task can be essential to recognizing and breaking these destructive habits.
Early Detection of Oral Cancer
There’s been an increase in oral cancer over the last few years. Men, especially, are twice as likely to develop oral cancer.
There are a number of treatments available, but early detection is key to full recovery.
Dentists are trained to detect and identify the signs of early cancer. Regular visits give your dentist the opportunity to examine your mouth for any concerns, while also providing them with the ability to observe changes across numerous visits.
Jaw, Neck and Lymph Node Inspections
Dentists don’t only concern themselves with the interior of your mouth. They also examine the throat, neck, jaw and lymph nodes for any irregularities.
Again, this offers an opportunity for early detection of any abnormalities or questionable growths that may occur.
Consider these additional examinations a bonus for getting your teeth taken care of.
Final Thoughts on General Dentistry
The health of our mouth often indicates the level of our overall well-being. Regular dentist visits allow a professional the chance to assess our oral health and make recommendations based on their findings.
Not only do we get to be more informed about the condition of our mouth, but we also have the boost of confidence with having professionally cleaned teeth.
If you wish to book an appointment with a dentist, let us know. We’re always here for your needs.
