Importance Of Regular Dental Exams And Cleanings

Excellent at-home dental hygiene, healthy eating, and good lifestyle habits are great ways to maintain a healthy mouth. But is it enough? Even when your mouth feels healthy and fully functional, routine dental assessments are essential.

This article highlights what routine dental check-ups and cleanings involve and the importance of having them every six months.

Dental check-ups and cleanings Procedure

If you haven’t had a dental assessment recently, you should begin by scheduling one with our dentist near you. During the appointment, our dentist will begin by reviewing your medical history, lifestyle habits, allergies, and much more.

Next, the dentist will examine your teeth, gums, neck, throat, lips, breath, and mouth for early symptoms of oral conditions such as tooth decay, enamel erosion, gum infection, receding gums, poor bite, bad breath, and oral cancer. Most oral problems, including oral cancer, can be treated and reversed when identified in their initial stages. The exam might include x-rays.

The dentist will use special dental tools to scrub off bacterial plaque and calculus around the teeth and gums. Next, the teeth are polished for a smooth and brighter appearance. The dentist will then brush and floss your teeth. If necessary, the dentist can also provide fluoride treatments.

Benefits of Routine Dental Check-ups and teeth cleaning

• Prevent oral problems

Even with in-depth brushing and flossing, there’s still a chance of leaving behind some debris. Over time, this debris mixes with the bacteria in the mouth to form plaque and calculus. If not cleaned away, these deposits release harmful acids that attack the teeth and gums, causing cavities, decay, bad breath, and gum disease.

During routine teeth cleanings, the dentist scrubs off bacterial tartar and plaque, significantly reducing the risk of oral problems.

• Early detection of oral conditions

Even if your mouth feels healthy and fully functional, you could have minor oral problems that are hard to diagnose. Dental problems like gum disease or oral cancer typically develop gradually and may take years before showing significant symptoms.

During a routine exam, the dentist can notice early signs of potential oral condition. Without the exam, these conditions would likely progress to advanced stages, which are relatively complex, uncomfortable, and costly to treat and reverse.

• Early treatment of oral conditions

With early diagnosis, treatments are less invasive, minor, and less expensive. For instance, you can reverse the early stages of gum disease with standard treatments like excellent dental care, regular dental cleanings, and antibiotics.

The more it advances, the more invasive treatments like deep cleaning and gum surgery are needed. These treatments can be expensive, painful, and costly. Routine exams help detect and treat oral conditions early, eliminating the need for such treatments.

• Improves oral and overall health

Routine check-ups and cleanings prevent the development of bacterial plaque and calculus, which cause cavities and gum disease. Similarly, they help diagnose oral problems in their initial stages, where treatment is less invasive, more successful, and less costly. All these are essential for maintaining a healthy mouth.

It’s also worth noting that a healthy mouth plays a crucial role in your overall well-being. For instance, excellent oral health significantly reduces your risk of health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and much more.

• Improves your smile

Plaque and tartar have a yellowish-brown appearance, which can make your teeth appear dull. Teeth cleanings involve scrubbing off tartar and plaque deposits on the teeth and gums, improving their appearance. The teeth are also polished for a brighter and smooth appearance. You can consult your dentist about a whitening procedure if you have significant teeth stains.

• Fresher breath

Bacterial plaque and tartar can cause persistent bad breath. The dentist cleans your mouth, eliminating any plaque or debris that causes bad breath.

Tips to Maintain a Healthy Mouth

Along with routine dental assessments, use these tips to care for your mouth:

• Brush your teeth twice daily.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily.
• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Avoid sugary and acidic snacks.
• Avoid tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption.
• Use a mouthguard for contact sports and bruxism.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Ready to book your next dental exams and cleanings in Bristol, CT? Contact Admire Dental – Bristol for more information.