The Real Benefits of Twice-Yearly Dental Checkups
Have you ever wondered where the recommendation for a dental visit every six months came from? Do you reckon you take pretty good care of your teeth, and only go to see the dentist once a year, or once every few years? Perhaps you usually wait until something hurts or goes wrong to see the dentist?
Whatever your choice, we’re here to fill you in on exactly how and why that bi-annual check-up is beneficial to your teeth.
It’s Difficult to Fully Clean Teeth at Home
Brushing and flossing go a long way towards keeping your smile healthy, but the truth is, these two things alone can’t keep every surface of your teeth clean.
Hard to reach areas can start to develop plaque and tartar. Once this hardens, it’s really difficult to remove by yourself.
A full dental cleaning can involve all of the following:
- Checking the cleanliness and overall health of your teeth and gums
- Removing any plaque and tartar
- Polishing your teeth
- Flossing between your teeth
- Reviewing recommended brushing and flossing techniques
Without these treatments, tartar can continue to develop and lead to decay. And if these things are left untreated, they can lead to gum disease.
Prevent Gum Disease
If left untreated, periodontal (gum) disease can lead to tooth loss – and even impact your overall health. Research out of the University of Sydney is exploring connections between gum disease and obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases! Twice yearly visits to the dentist can help prevent gum disease from developing to a harmful stage.
Early Detection of More Serious Issues
People usually assume a dental check-up is just a quick check for plaque and cavities. But in reality, a dentist is inspecting your entire mouth for signs and symptoms of all sorts. Some of them can be very serious – think oral cancer, tooth decay, oral tumours, and infections that can quietly spread from your jaw to your brain.
A good old-fashioned dental check-up is your best bet to catch any of these potential dangers before they cause you any harm.
Here are just some of the ways a dentist might examine you:
- Examining the gums
- Looking for signs of gum disease
- Checking for loose teeth
- Looking at the tissues inside of your mouth
- Examining your tongue
- Checking your bite
- Looking for visual evidence of tooth decay
- Checking for broken teeth
- Checking for damaged fillings
- Looking for changes in the gums covering teeth
- Evaluating any dental appliance you have
- Checking the contact and for tooth decay in between your teeth
- Taking X-rays
Don’t Forget Your Regular Dental Check-Ups!
We know, we know… you’ve heard this recommendation before. But hopefully now you understand why doctors and dentists often give this advice!
Redbank Plains Dental is Brookwater’s local dentist. If you need a Dentist in Brookwater or want to find out more about the services we offer to the entire Ipswich area, contact us today.
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