From the moment we begin growing baby teeth, we start visiting the dentist for teeth cleanings and oral health exams. As we grow older, our lives become busier. It can feel tempting to skip these routine appointments, but these visits play crucial roles in preserving our smiles.
We practice oral hygiene at home, but your dentist performs vital maintenance for our teeth and gums during regular appointments. Read on to learn more about the importance of completing preventative dental care with your dentist.
Why Do I Need Regular Dentist Appointments?
During these routine visits to your dentist’s office, a dentist will examine your teeth and gums for signs of potential problems. If you have a cavity or any indication of gum disease, your dentist can treat the issue promptly before it progresses and causes significant damage to your smile.
They can also use x-ray imaging to get a thorough and precise look at the interior of your smile. They can monitor more long-term concerns, such as the growth of wisdom teeth, with this technology.
Your dentist will use this opportunity to clean your teeth and gums as well. They scrape away plaque and tartar that have built up in hard-to-reach spots of your mouth.
If they remain on your teeth, they can eat away at the enamel and leave your smile vulnerable to major harm. Therefore, you should not skip these appointments with your dentist if you want optimal protection for your smile.
How Often Should I Seek Preventative Dental Care?
Though you understand the importance of regular visits with your dentist, how often do you need to schedule these appointments? The average dental patient should see their dentist for routine cleanings and exams every six months.
This provides an ideal window for dentists to get rid of plaque before it can cause lasting damage to your smile. It will allow them to catch dental problems early enough to treat them with ease as well.
However, some patients may need to visit their dentist more frequently than this. Senior patients, those with a higher propensity for tartar formation, and people with underlying medical issues may need to see their dentist three or four times a year. Ask your dentist about the optimal preventative dental treatment plan for your smile.
What Do I Do During a Dental Emergency?
Even if you visit your dentist regularly and practice good oral hygiene, accidents can happen that impact your smile in between your routine appointments. An injury or suddenly uncomfortable symptom should not be ignored. Do not wait to call your dentist if you suffer a dental emergency before your next scheduled appointment.
Even if you are not in pain, an injury to your tooth can worsen without treatment from your dentist. Your tooth could be at risk of getting an infection or other major concern. Contact your dentist, and they may ask you to come to their office for an emergency evaluation.