1. Early Detection of Dental Problems
Your dentist can detect issues you may be unaware of. Many dental issues – including gum disease, cavities and oral cancer – don’t cause pain or become visible until they are in advanced stages.
2. Find Problems Under the Surface with X-Rays
A crucial part of visiting your dentist every six months is getting your teeth and jaw bone x-rayed. X-ray images allow dental professionals to see what is happening beneath the surfaces of your mouth. This can find and diagnose issues that may be invisible to the naked eye. Problems like this can include impacted teeth, which are growing teeth that are blocked from pushing through the gum line, as often seen in wisdom teeth.
3. Preventing Tooth Decay & Cavities
As many as 120 systemic diseases can be visible in your mouth. Regular checkups can reveal the signs of diseases before even you know about them.
4. Plaque & Bacterial Removal
Plaque is the accumulation of bacteria, dead cells, and debris on your teeth. It is invisible to the eye, but it is harmful to the teeth. Built-up plaque can also turn into tartar, which is much harder to remove, and can cause gum recession and inflammation. Regular dental visits help remove plaque, which greatly reduces the chance of periodontal disease.
5. Preventing Bad Breath
Bad breath (halitosis) can be caused by poor oral hygiene, gum disease or particles of food lodged in hard-to-reach places. Regular check-ups and professional teeth cleaning are the best way to prevent this problem.
6. Avoid Teeth Loss
Advanced periodontitis can result in the destruction of bone that supports the teeth as plaque eats further into the roots of the teeth. A thorough cleaning during your regular dental visit, plus a good routine of brushing and flossing at home, will go a long way in keeping your teeth healthy.
7. Brighter Smile
Things we eat and drink can cause our teeth to stain. Tobacco, tea, coffee, and red wine (to name a few) cause teeth stains. A scaling and polish by your dentist can quickly remove these stains. This is recommended for people every 6 months. You will certainly enjoy a clean and brighter smile after your regular dental check up.
8. Prevent Gingivitis & Periodontal Disease
Most people don’t even realize they have gum disease, which is why dentists check for it. Gum disease can cause major problems for your mouth, including teeth loss. Not only that, but studies have shown that people with gum disease are more likely to have heart disease! Recognizing it early and treating it before it escalates is very important; it just isn’t worth skipping dental visits.
9. Financial Benefits
People in the United States spend $100 billion a year on dental treatment. Preventive dentistry is far less expensive than restorative treatment. A full-mouth dental implant can cost upwards of $24,000. The long-term financial benefits of regular dental check ups cannot over be over stated.
