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Most people don’t take their oral hygiene seriously, but oral care is not something that should be neglected. If you are not taking proper care of your oral hygiene then you are in a lot of trouble. Even if you take good care of your oral hygiene some tooth and gum irregularities are not detected and are overlooked. Therefore a routine checkup at dental clinic is a crucial part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Here’s why you should not ignore your routine dental checkup. We will also try to focus on the significance as well as side effects of a routine dental checkup. Read on to know everything
Why is Regular Dental Checkup Important?
Even if you regularly brush, floss and rinse your mouth with a good mouthwash, some places in your mouth are still left untreated. If some part of your mouth is left untreated it can make room for infectious bacteria that cause tooth decay and enamel depletion.
If left untreated these small problems can lead to severe teeth and gum diseases. A dentist can easily diagnose and detect dental problems and prevent serious dental problems. Remember your “oral health is overall health”.
What happens at Your Dental Visit?
There are two parts of your dental visit, first is the diagnosis and second is the cleaning and treatment phase. In the diagnosis phase, the dentist checks for cavities and also performs an X-ray to look for tooth irregularities.
Here’s how a dentist performs the diagnosis
- First, the plaque (a clear and sticky layer of bacteria) is checked and removed. If plaque is hardened and is left untreated for long, it can become a problem.
- The second step is to check the gums with a special tool. This tool will help measure the depth of spaces between gums and teeth. Gum problems if left untreated can transform into severe gingivitis.
- After checking the general health of teeth and gums, the dentist examines the tongue, face, throat, neck, and head of the patient for any problems that might be linked with oral diseases.
- If any dental problem is detected, it’s treated and prevention measures are also taken.
After diagnosing and detecting problems the dentist will treat these problems accordingly.
5 Reasons Why You Should Have a Routine Dental Checkup
These are the reasons you should regularly visit dental clinic for a full checkup every 6 months.
1. Prevents Tooth Decay
Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent dental problems from worsening. If your teeth hurt, your gums bleed, you see tooth discoloration, or you experience any other oral problem. Immediately consult your dentist and don’t delay the treatment.
On-time treatment along with good oral care can prevent tooth decay and save your beautiful smile.
2. Oral Diseases are Expensive, Routine Dental Checkup is Cheap
Many people think that dental treatment is very expensive and skip their dental visits. Skipping oral care sessions with your dentist can pave the way for infectious bacteria and other oral problems. A root canal treatment after severe tooth decay or gum treatment after severe gingivitis can be very costly and painful. The price you pay for the treatment of an oral problem if far more than a regular dental visit.
There is a stage when the natural tooth can become so infected that even a dental surgeon cannot save it. In that case, the patient can even lose a tooth, which is indeed a very big loss, the money can’t heal.
3. Detect Oral Cancer in Early Stages
Oral cancer slowly develops in your mouth or somewhere near your mouth. If left unchecked it can be fatal. A regular dental check-up can ensure that all oral irregularities can be checked. If you are a person struggling with alcohol addiction or a smoker then you should visit a dental clinic more often.
In a dental cancer detection or ulcer screening process the dental surgeon looks for lumps, tumors and other tissue abnormalities. If there is any abnormality or any sign of oral cancer, your dental surgeon counsel to prevent any further damage.
4. Prevent problems from getting worse
Early diagnosis of gingivitis, periodontitis, tooth decay and other oral problems can prevent them from getting worse. Early detection is also less costly than a full treatment of the problem.
5. Avoid bad habits
Bad habits such as eating more sugary and sticky foods along with smoking and alcohol consumption can destroy your teeth and gums. In addition to bad oral health, these habits can also lead to bad overall health.
Avoiding these activities or brushing after consuming sugary foods can help prevent tooth damage.
Conclusion
A visit to the dentist should not only be considered after severe tooth pain or for some root canal procedure. Regarding oral health, a regular checkup with your dental surgeon is as important as eating food. Please remember that prevention is always better than cure!
Author bio
EuroMed Clinic Medical Reference | Reviewed by Dr. Reem Sawan General Cosmetic Dentist (DDS) on February 05, 2021
Dr. Reem holds a doctorate in dental surgery with more than 10 years of experience in general and cosmetic dentistry
