Dental Check-Ups
A smile can go a long way, and it can be one of your greatest assets. Your oral health requires consistent attention, and maintaining a bright smile extends further than your typical brushing and flossing.
Regular dental check-ups are a crucial contributor to keeping your oral health optimal. This is what regular dental check-ups involve and why they are so important.
What Does a Dental Check-Up Look Like?
During a routine dental check-up, a dental practitioner, often a dentist or dental hygienist, assesses your overall oral health including your teeth, gums, lips, tongue, mouth and saliva. Dental check-ups include:
- A cleaning process, known as scaling, which involves a thorough removal of plaque and tartar build-up. This helps ensure that your teeth remain free of harmful substances that could lead to the development of cavities and gum disease.
- A careful inspection of your mouth to check for any other oral health issues.
- X-rays of your teeth to get a detailed view of the teeth and jawbone. If performed, X-rays can help identify issues such as cavities, impacted teeth, and bone loss. This process allows dentists the opportunity to educate on effective oral hygiene practices, including demonstrating the correct methods of brushing and flossing. Dentists can additionally let patients about their individual oral health needs.
Why are Dental Check-Ups Important?
Dental check-ups make up an essential aspect of your dental hygiene routine as they help detect any oral concerns, assisting in the prevention of dental diseases. The most common dental diseases are tooth decay and gum disease. Regular check-ups not only ensure the healthy functioning of your mouth, but they can screen for more concerning issues such as oral cancer. Through examination, dentists can also determine if your dental fillings need to be repaired or replaced, as well as other dental work. Additionally, they provide an opportunity to identify and evaluate other habits that can have a negative impact on your teeth and mouth, such as teeth grinding and smoking.
How Often Should I Schedule a Check-Up?
A routine check-up every 6 months allows for the maintaining of a healthy mouth due to the opportunity to quickly resolve problems. However, this may vary based on the individual needs of the patient. Benefits of regular check-ups include:
- Professional Cleaning: Dentists can eliminate stubborn plaque deposits missed even from regular brushing.
- Cost-Effective: Financial burden of procedures and other medical processes associated with developed oral issues can be avoided if issues are dealt with when small.
- A Better Smile: Preserving your pearly whites by promptly addressing any alignment issues, cavities, and gum problems.
- Be In-The-Know: An opportunity to become educated about your individual oral health needs and habits.
- Eliminating Bad Breath: Avoid the growth of odour-causing bacteria.
- Preserving Overall Oral Health: Know if you require treatment options to prevent the worsening of detected problems.
In addition to your routine check-ups, you should see one of our dentists if:
- You feel discomfort in your mouth,
- You notice swelling on your face,
- You encounter difficulty in swallowing,
- You have any tooth damage,
- You have any concerns about your oral health due to an unusual sensation in your mouth.
Routine dental check-ups are important in maintaining your overall health and well-being. Ensuring that these visits are a priority enable a healthy smile and are a proactive approach to your overall health. Be prompt and about your oral health and schedule an appointment before any issues arise. Book now and embrace a lifelong healthy smile!
When you've got a healthy smile, you're all set!