Your mouth is more than just the gateway to your digestive system. It actually can tell much about how healthy your body is. Many diseases and conditions are first detected by signs in the mouth. When your dentist examines your teeth and takes x-rays, he is not only looking at your teeth, but also at your tongue, blood vessels, and throat. Problems in these areas can point to other serious health conditions which require more frequent visits to the dentist, including periodontal and gum disease, poor oral hygiene habits, high use of tobacco and alcohol, pregnancy, diabetes, and certain medical conditions. These conditions leave the patient with a higher risk of gum disease, oral cancer, and cavities.
Sometimes people have reached a point in their lives where they have lost one or more teeth because of neglect or maybe they didn’t take the time to visit their dentist twice a year for checkup and cleaning. Having your teeth professionally cleaned can ward off future problems. This helps your teeth to stay healthy, eliminating the possibility of losing them. There are numerous health benefits from a regular dental checkup and the relation to overall general and dental health is becoming a very important aspect for consideration. Maintaining a regular dental checkup will ensure that any potential dental issues are quickly identified and treated before they can turn into painful, and highly expensive, medical issues that may require surgery or permanent treatment options. The significance of the regular dental checkup ranges from preventing fatal conditions to maintaining healthy gum and teeth so they are working at their optimal level.
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Dental Checkup: Benefits
Therefore, the significance of regular dental checkup and dental cleanings cannot be minimized. Regular dental visits will clear the patient of any potential oral cancers which are highly curable if caught on early. Regular dental checkups also prevent the build-up of plaque and clean the teeth and gums to a healthy level which reduces bad breath. But far more prevalent is the gum disease, which is an infection of the gum tissue and the bone. This is also true of cavities and broken fillings which, if left untreated can result in root canals, gum surgery, and removal of teeth. Most dental checkups do not end up finding a potentially life-threatening medical condition. In fact, many dental checkups end with a positive diagnosis of healthy teeth and gums. Visiting the dentist regularly is not just about getting your teeth cleaned but allowing your dentist to see whether you have any dental problems such as decay, infection, gum disease or oral cancer.
Dental Checkup: Procedure
At each dental checkup, your dentist would:
- Examine your teeth, gums, and mouth.
- Ask about your general health and any problems you’ve had with your teeth, mouth or gums since your last visit.
- Ask about, and give you advice on, your diet, smoking and alcohol use, and teeth-cleaning habits.
- Discuss with you a date for your next visit.
You should have your regular check-ups once every six months providing that you have not experienced any sensitivity, pain or discomfort anywhere around your jawline of teeth. Depending on your risk of dental problems, they will recommend anything from 3 months to two years. If your teeth or gums are causing you any discomfort at all, or if you develop a case of bad breath that simply won’t go away, it’s time to come in for a visit. Most dental problems can be cured or remedied quickly if it’s caught early.
If you have children and want to make sure that their teeth remain healthy for the rest of their lives it is important that they begin to adopt good dental habits such as brushing their teeth properly and on schedule and even more important, that they become accustomed to flossing. People that floss regularly at an early age, stand to gain a level of dental health that will stay with them forever.
The key to maintaining healthy teeth and mouth is to visit the dentist regularly for your check-up. Good oral health positively adds to your physical, social, and emotional well-being, as well as to the enjoyment of life’s possibilities! So the next time you are thinking about skipping your dental checkup, stop and think about the benefits. Good preventive oral care can save you money, save your teeth, and improve your oral and overall health.
