Hygiene and Regular Checkups

So what IS the importance of dental cleaning? While not only beneficial for appearance sake, there are numerous health benefits from a regular dental check-up of your teeth.

Firstly, maintaining a regular dental check-up schedule will ensure that any potential dental issues are quickly identified and treated before they can turn into painful, and highly expensive, medicals issues that may require surgery or permanent treatment options.

The importance of the regular dental check-up ranges from preventing fatal conditions to maintaining healthy gum and teeth so they are working at their optimal level. On one end of the scale, regular dental visits will clear the patient of any potential oral cancers which are highly curable if caught early on. On a lesser scale but perhaps far more prevalent is 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.

On a superficial level, regular checkups prevent the build-up of plaque and clean the teeth and gums to a healthy level, thereby reducing the onset of bad breath. Statistics show that 85 percent of people with persistent bad breath can attribute it to a dental problem and low dental appointment attendance.

So how regularly should you go for these checkups with your dentist? A good rule of thumb is once every six months – providing that you have not experienced any sensitivity, pain or discomfort anywhere in your mouth.

However, there are certain conditions that 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 – so patients who fall into any of these particular categories should visit their dentist on a more regular basis.

If you desire to take care of your families dental health then contact us today at (403) 257-1180!