Why are Regular Dental Checkups So Important?

The importance of teeth cleaning and regular dental checkups are essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. The standard recommendation is to visit your dentist twice a year for check-ups and cleanings. Take care of your smile, and the chances of never having to get dentures or have other expensive procedures performed as dental implantation increase substantially.

Patients with a genetic predisposition for plaque build-up or cavities, gum disease, or a weakened immune system need to visit the dentist more frequently for optimal care.

Why are Regular Dental Checkups So Important?

• Prevention of gum disease. The build-up of plaque can result in gum (periodontal) disease. Plaque also contains bacteria which can cause inflammation and irritate gums.
• Maintain good health. Regular teeth cleaning could potentially lessen your risk of having a stroke or developing heart disease.
• Enjoy a whiter, brighter smile. A professional cleaning can thoroughly clean the teeth and remove the plaque (or tartar), stains caused by coffee, tea, wine or tobacco.
• Prevent halitosis (bad breath). Bad breath can be caused by gum disease, food lodged in hard-to-reach areas, or poor oral hygiene. Regular teeth cleaning and dental checkups are the best way to ensure your good oral hygiene.
• Keep your teeth. No one wants to lose their teeth. An advanced gum disease can cause supporting bone to be destroyed as plaque moves further into the roots of the teeth. Have your teeth cleaned regularly. Brush/floss thoroughly between cleanings.

Regular dental checkups are how your dentist detects any potential problems that you may not even be aware of. Unless you have pain or an obvious cavity, you may have issues you do not even know about. During a routine dental checkup, your dentist should:

• Check for cavities. Detecting cavities early make for easier treatment and often helps save permanent teeth which may be lost if decay progresses too far (decay doesn’t become visible or cause pain until it reaches more advanced stages).
• Check for plaque and tartar build-up. When plaque is not removed, it becomes tartar which is impossible to remove with regular brushing and flossing. Plaque can lead to gum disease, so it’s important to take care of it before it gets out of hand.
• Examine your gums. The dentist will use a tool designed to measure the space between teeth and gums. Spaces typically become deeper when gum disease is present.
• The dentist can check for problems that patients might not see or feel.
• Will perform professional teeth cleaning and scaling that effectively removes dental plaque and calculus.

А regular visit

General examination

First of all, the dentist will want to know if some general health diseases have been diagnosed and the current medication that the patient has been prescribed. The patient has to inform the dentist about new cavities, sensitive teeth or any other oral health concerns.

Clinical dental examination

The dentist assesses the state of the teeth, gums and surrounding tissues. Looking for visual evidence of tooth decay. The dentist will examine filled teeth, fixed prostheses, dental implants or removable dentures. If any problem exists it can be treated promptly. Some restoration may need repair too. Look also for changes in the gums covering teeth, signs of gum disease, checking for loose teeth and any other signs of periodontal disease. The dentist can check the contact between the teeth (the bite). Sometimes, a bite adjustment is required.

Professional cleaning

The dentist will check the oral hygiene status.

• Cleaning

The professional cleaning removes the hardened plaque (called calculus or tartar) that builds up on teeth. Dentists use ultrasonic scalers, which provide deep cleaning above and below the gum line.

• Polishing

After cleaning, teeth are polished to remove plaque and stains on their surface. The polish is applied using a small rotating rubber cup or brush attached to the dental handpiece. It contains an abrasive substance and fluoride.

Recommendations

After the examination and when cleaning has been performed, the dentist might:

• recommend brushing and flossing techniques
• additional diagnostic tests
• advice to return for restoration work or additional oral health care.

Please remember: visiting the dentist on a regular basis and following daily good oral hygiene practices at home, it is more likely to keep your teeth and gums healthy.