Anyone who has owned a car for very long has learned the value of a regular oil change and tuneup. If you wait until you can’t ignore the warning light anymore before taking that pride and joy in, you may end up having to call for a tow truck.
The same is true when it comes to your oral health. Waiting for a dental problem to show itself before seeing the dentist can lead to dental health problems that could have been avoided with a simple annual or semi-annual checkup.
Regular dental checkups ensure you stay ahead of:
Plaque, Tartar, and Cavities
Diligent brushing and flossing on a daily basis is great but does not guarantee you will never have tooth or gum problems. Even with the most diligent personal dental hygiene, everyone misses small areas in their mouth. The plaque buildup that results in those areas solidifies, turns into tartar and becomes more difficult to remove without professional help.
A regular dental cleaning prevents tartar from eroding teeth, which is how cavities are created. Unlike your car’s diagnostic warning system, cavities seldom give any warning signs as they form. A toothache isn’t noticed until long after it could have been prevented.
A cleaning appointment is far more affordable than getting a filling, so you should make sure not to miss the cleanings!
Gum Disease
A regular dental checkup and cleaning helps prevent damage to your sensitive gum tissues. Unchecked tartar buildup can cause infection where your gum is connected to the tooth, causing the gum to pull away from the tooth.
Breakdown of gum tissue (gum disease) can cause a breakdown of the bone that holds your teeth in place. When this isn’t caught early, you are likely to need a lot more than an hour once a year for a checkup.
An annual checkup and cleaning can often keep you from needing extreme deep cleanings, medication, specialists, and even surgery.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is an extremely serious and can manifest itself in a variety of ways. A regular checkup ensures that cancer if it present is diagnosed while it can be successfully treated.
Your dentist is trained to recognize the signs and symptoms or oral cancer. While you may not notice oral abnormalities, your dentist will.
Dentists are not just concerned with fixing teeth. They aim to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy and check for abnormalities that may otherwise go unnoticed. Dental professionals help ensure your bones are strong and will help you correct any habits that may be sabotaging your oral health.
In many ways, they are your warning light.