The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups
The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups
No one really looks forward to visiting the dentist but that doesn’t make scheduled examinations every 6 months any less important. Oral hygiene’s effect on smiles is clear, however, its influence on organs, nutrition, skeletal structure, and overall health beyond what’s on the surface can be murky. Strong teeth are essential and regular checkups go a lot deeper than what the eyes pick up.
At Lastra & Raffell, we believe a family dentist should have informed patients. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of things everyone should understand about the importance of regular dental checkups. Two examinations a year are recommended for preserving a beautiful smile and maintaining a good overall quality of life.
Plaque, Tartar, Cavities, and the Importance of Cleaning
No matter how hard or often you brush, there are parts of the mouth everyone misses, and plaque will build up. As it accumulates it solidifies and becomes tartar. Tartar can be difficult to remove and usually requires professional help to wipe out.
Tartar also erodes teeth, forming holes, which may become cavities.
Scheduled cleanings are the key to keeping plaque in check, preventing it from leading to cavities or worse. The only way to fix cavities is with fillings of having teeth pulled.
And a cleaning appointment is a lot cheaper than a filling, especially with dentists in Miami.
Monitor Bad Habits
Other things that can erode teeth and lead to cavities are certain bad habits. These include, but are not limited to:
- Biting Nails
- Grinding Teeth
- Chewing Ice
- Smoking
- Drinking Coffee
- Clenching Jaw
- Grinding Teeth
- Too Much Hard Candy
The effects of these will vary greatly depending on several factors but they all cause oral harm. Knowing how destructive these are and keeping an eye on them can not only help you prevent further damage but even reverse any that already exists.
Gum Disease
Not only do plaque and tartar destroy your teeth, but they also get your gums, too.
Tartar buildup causes gingivitis, an infection where the tooth and gum meet that causes the gums to pull away from the tooth. Gingivitis will break down the soft tissue in your mouth causing swelling, bleeding, soreness, and can eventually break down the bone that holds the teeth, allowing them to loosen up or fall out.
At this point, treatment becomes crucial, painful, and expensive. Some drastic measures may be necessary, like surgery, medication, deep cleaning, and more.
Problems Under the Surface
Teeth go deeper than just the surface. Literally.
X-ray access to photograph the underlying areas of the mouth is probably not something most people have. The dentist does. Finding teeth that are blocked from pushing through the gum line – like wisdom teeth – and other things that can’t be seen.
Pictures from X-rays and other tests only a dentist will conduct can indicate if there’s any damage to the jawbone to identify swelling, bone decay, cysts, and more. Some oral diseases don’t have symptoms that are visible to allow for ocular diagnosis.
Lymph Node, Thyroid Gland, Head, and Neck Examination
Dentists must also survey certain parts of the head, neck, and lymph nodes for lumps and abnormalities. Some of these are benign, but others can be cause for concern and possibly indicate a major health issue.
Swollen lymph nodes are of special concern. They don’t necessarily hurt or seem out of the ordinary when something is wrong so medical professionals, like the family dentist, must monitor these regularly.
Checking lymph nodes, thyroid glands, esophagus, and entire neck region doesn’t require much work from the dentist, but it can prevent complications that may be fatal.
Oral Cancer Detection and Diagnosis
Regular check-ups every six months literally saves lives.
Oral cancer is a serious condition that can be mitigated if it’s caught early. People particularly prone should take visiting the dentist seriously, especially if there’s a history of cancer or particularly risky behavior (smoking) present.
Early-stage oral cancer exams are non-invasive and pain-free. The sooner it’s detected the easier it is to treat.
Is visiting a dentist near me worth it?
Lastra & Raffell Family Dentistry is concerned with fixing teeth, but most importantly is keeping mouths healthy. We professionally clean your teeth and make sure your oral wellbeing is where it needs to be to prevent worse medical issues.
Miami dentists are many. Make sure you see one twice a year – it’s in your best interest.