The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups

Life gets busy. Between the constant demands of work and family, 6-month dental checkups are often the first thing to be pushed aside. Many assume that, as long as they maintain a consistent oral care routine at home, dental checkups are more or less a formality.

While brushing and flossing are essential, those 6-month cleanings are just as important for maintaining long-lasting dental health. When possible, checkups should never be neglected. Keep reading to find out a few of the most important reasons to always attend your dental checkups.

1. Prevent Tooth Decay

Brushing twice daily and flossing are highly important for maintaining long-term dental health. But, no matter how thorough you are when practicing good oral care at home, there remain hard-to-reach areas of your mouth– between teeth, along the gum line, behind the molars, etc. –that even the best brush can’t touch.

If neglected for too long, these problem areas in the mouth begin to accumulate plaque and tartar that can eventually lead to tooth decay.

Dental professionals have the specialized tools and training to reach these areas and remove plaque and tartar buildup, ensuring that your teeth stay healthy and cavity-free.

1. Detect Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue that, if left untreated, will lead to bone deterioration and, eventually, tooth loss. According to the CDC, a whopping 47% of adults, ages 30 and older, have some form of gum disease.

Fortunately, gum disease is very treatable. If detected early enough, it may be little more than an annoyance.

However, the symptoms of gum disease are often undetectable until they start to cause significant discomfort. A doctor can detect the early warning signs of gum disease and begin to treat it before it becomes a serious issue. Making sure to attend checkups every 6 months will increase the odds of your doctor finding and treating gum disease early, saving you time, money, and a great deal of discomfort.

1. Detect Oral Cancer

The doctor does more than look at teeth and gums during an oral exam. They also check for early signs of oral cancer.

If left untreated, oral cancer can develop into a life-threatening condition. Early detection is key to ensuring that cancer is stopped before it has a chance to become life-threatening.

Those diligent about attending their 6-month checkups virtually eliminate their odds of developing late-stage oral cancer.

1. Stay Informed

No matter how diligent you are about your oral health, our mouths change as we get older, and different measures are often required to ensure we’re maintaining proper dental hygiene.

Believe it or not, your dentist knows your mouth better than you do. Staying up-to-date with your dental visits allows your dentist to notice subtle changes in the condition of your mouth and recommend hygiene practices for you to implement at home to accommodate your mouth’s ever-changing demands.

1. Peace of Mind

Your oral health is important, but so is your mental well-being. Uncertainty about the condition of your oral health, constantly putting off dental appointments, neglecting to consult your dentist about a dental issue you’re having– these issues build up and begin to contribute to anxiety and stress over time, potentially causing much more worry than they warrant.

Simply making the time for a checkup may do wonders for your mental health, bringing you that peace of mind you didn’t even know you needed. So do yourself (and your teeth) a favor and book your next appointment today!