Do you have an excellent oral hygiene? Do you regularly brush and floss your teeth? If you’re wondering if you still need to visit the dentist when you already have excellent oral hygiene, then the answer is yes!
Even if you have a great oral hygiene habit at home, a professionally trained dentist can check for problems you don’t see or feel yourself. These doctors studied for years and can check what an ordinary person cannot.
In reality, there are numerous dental problems like gum disease, oral cancer, cavities, etc., that people don’t notice since it isn’t visible or hasn’t caused pain until they reach a more advanced stage. Thus, visiting the dentist more than once a year is essential so that the dentist can check before it reaches a critical stage. They can better instruct you on improving your dental hygiene.
How Often Should I Visit the Dentist?
Individuals should visit the dentist at least twice yearly, a good rule of thumb for many. However, depending on your habits, oral hygiene, and individual medical conditions, the number of times you should visit the dentist in a year would depend since each of us has unique oral and dental habits.
Thus, on your next visit, it’s better to ask your dentist when the next appointment should be booked. Don’t worry since they’ll probably tell you when you should visit next anyway. Find a credible dentist near your area who suits your dental needs and preferences. It’s recommended that you find a dental office that you feel comfortable in.
Also, check their waiting room and ask how long you’d have to wait before you can get your service. Speaking of service, you should look into the options they offer to clients. You should also check if your insurance will cover the services in your chosen dental office, especially if you live in the United States, where healthcare costs are expensive without insurance.
On the other hand, if you live in Australia, where healthcare costs are low or free for its citizens, you would have to mainly focus on finding a dentist’s office that meets your comfort. Consider Dr. Angelos Sourial at Brunswick Dentist to enjoy exceptional dental services focusing on your dental needs. The Brunswick Dentist office also has been around for 25+ years, so they have the experience to meet your expectations.
Who Should Visit the Dentist More Often?
As mentioned above, a good rule of thumb is visiting the dentist’s office twice a year. However, some individuals have a greater risk for dental disease and other health conditions that require them to visit the dentist every three months or more. The following are the higher-risk groups that should be mindful of their oral (and overall) health:
- Smokers
- Diabetics
- Pregnant women
- Individuals with gum disease
- Those with weak immune response
- Individuals who are prone to plaque buildup and cavities
What To Expect at Your Dental Check-up
A check-up usually takes an hour or even less to complete; it all depends on the state of your oral health. Your appointment can allow the dentist and dental hygienist to assess your oral health and hygiene and recommend at-home hygiene and any needed treatment.
Would this be your first time to get a dental check-up? Then, you may want to know what you’ll do at the dentist’s office. Every dental practice has its procedures they follow during a check-up, but the following procedures are what you should generally expect at your six-month appointment:
X-Rays
The dental hygienist takes X-rays at the start of the appointment to give the dentist a chance to review them before they meet you and examine your mouth. It gives them an idea of what they’re dealing with before they check your mouth.
Cleaning and Polishing
Almost everyone can benefit from dental cleaning. It’s a safe procedure where the hygienist uses scalers and other dental tools to clean teeth and gently remove plaque buildup and tartar from the tooth surfaces and below the gum line. A hygienist would then polish your teeth using a paste and would floss between your teeth.
If any areas require more attention, the hygienist will alert you while cleaning your teeth. It’s so that you can pay more attention when brushing and flossing at home. Don’t worry; they will instruct you how to do this at home.
Oral Cancer Screening
Before assessing your teeth and gums, the dentist may perform an oral cancer screening first. They would check your tongue, palate, inside of your cheeks, throat, and other parts of your oral cavity to see if there are any signs of cancer. You’ll also notice that they’ll feel the outside of your throat and jaw for abnormalities.
When treating oral cancer, your dentist is usually the first line of defense before any kind of doctor would spot it. It just goes to show how essential regular dentist check-ups are, right? Early detection is essential for oral cancer since it can spread rapidly.
Cavity Detection
Do you have any damage to your teeth? Your dentist would check for any decay, chips, cracks, or other damage your teeth may have that requires repair. The dental hygienist would assist the dentist by charting the teeth that require treatment.
Assessment of Gum Health
A dental check-up would include assessing your gum health for signs of gum diseases, e.g., periodontitis or gingivitis. A dentist would check the pockets around each tooth where the gums pulled away due to plaque buildup and bacteria in the gum line.
Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, can be stopped and reversed at home with proper oral care and regular dental cleanings. However, periodontitis, the later stage of gum disease, would require specialized treatment from a periodontist.
Condition of Existing Dental Work
Have you gotten any dental work before, e.g., fillings or crowns, etc.? You should know that dental work doesn’t last forever – it’s why a dentist would ask you if you’ve gotten any dental work in the past. It’s also why checking the condition of any existing dental work is included in a dental check-up.
Once they’ve assessed the condition, they would make recommendations for any new corn, bridge, or filling you may need if the existing one isn’t keeping the teeth healthy and strong.
Final Thoughts
Don’t put your oral health at risk. Visit your dentist’s office this week to be informed about the current state of your oral health and hygiene. All of the organs and parts in your body are connected. If you don’t take care of your oral hygiene, it may affect other body parts. Gum disease has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, and many more.
What are you waiting for? Book an appointment at the nearest and most trustworthy dental clinic near you!