Taking good care of your teeth and dental health requires good habits and a multifaceted approach. From good nutrition to brushing regularly, taking intentional steps to have strong, healthy teeth and gums should be a natural part of your day.
Routine checkups are also a critical part of maintaining good oral health. When you skip trips to the dentist, you put your teeth and gums at risk of decay, cavities, and bad breath.
If it’s been a while since your last dental exam or you need confirmation that regular visits to dentists in Lone Tree are a good idea, keep reading! We’ll tell you about seven benefits of regular checkups with your dentist.
1. Keep Bad Breath In Check
Popping a piece of gum or a mint is a good way to freshen your breath after a meal. However, if you suffer from chronic bad breath, you might have a more severe problem than the aftermath of eating garlic or onions.
Bad breath can be the result of mouth sores, tooth or gum decay, poor dental hygiene, or halitosis. Without regular checkups, gum disease and bacteria can cause severe bad breath that toothpaste or mints can’t hide. In some cases, your dentist can recognize a separate health condition causing your chronic bad breath.
Keep your breath fresh! Make regular appointments to your dentist for cleaning and exams.
2. Find Problems You Can’t See
Some dental exams include a round of x-rays. While these can be uncomfortable for a few minutes, dental x-rays can reveal a lot about your teeth, gums, and the underlying conditions of your mouth.
Regular x-rays help your dentist keep track of what’s happening in your mouth that isn’t visible to the naked eye. They can recognize cysts, bone decay, tumors, root decay, and other issues causing pain and damage inside your mouth. Without treatment, these issues can cause permanent damage or require expensive oral surgery to resolve.
Routine dentist visits are much more than a way to keep your teeth clean and get a free toothbrush! Your dentist can help you catch early signs of different dental problems with regular x-rays.
3. Take Care of Plaque and Tartar Buildup
Even when you practice diligent toothbrushing and flossing habits, your teeth need help with plaque and tartar removal.
Tartar and plaque happen to everyone, and it’s not something you can easily remove with consistent brushing. With routine dental visits, you can keep these harmful buildups in check.
Regular brushing is critical to keep your teeth in excellent condition, but a toothbrush can’t reach every nook and cranny in your mouth. Your dentist’s or hygienist’s special cleaning tools help remove the buildup of plaque and tartar on your teeth. It might not be a pleasant few minutes while they scrape away the buildup, but it’s worth it for whiter, healthier teeth!
4. Control Your Cavities
No one likes to hear a dentist’s tally of your newest cavities at the end of a dental appointment. However, avoiding the dentist doesn’t mean you have fewer cavities!
Regular dental check-ups help your dental team keep an eye on your cavities. It’s critical to fill cavities before they have a chance to cause more tooth or gum issues. Catching them early with twice-yearly dental exams is the best way to keep cavities under control and improve your mouth’s health.
Not all cavities are painful or visible. You might not realize you have one until your next dental exam! Your dentist can recognize the early onset of a cavity and treat it before it becomes a painful problem.
5. Examine Your Neck and Throat For Cancer
Your dental team can benefit your health beyond your teeth and gums. During your exam, the hygienist or your dentist examines your tongue, throat, and neck for potential signs of cancer.
The American Cancer Society estimates that about 53,260 people will receive a diagnosis of the oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer in 2020. Dentists play an integral part in helping people identify early signs of these cancers during routine dental exams. With early detection, patients have more treatment options available to reduce the spread and severity of mouth, jaw, or throat cancer.
6. Treat Gum Disease
Your teeth can be healthy and cavity-free, but don’t forget about your gums. Regular dental exams help you monitor gum diseases and other issues that can damage the health of your mouth.
When a buildup of tartar or plaque goes without regular removal, it can lead to gum disease where the tooth comes in contact with your gums. As your gums become weaker and recede, your teeth can become loose and fall out. Gum disease can spread into your roots and jawbone if the problem goes without treatment.
Keeping up with regular dental exams can keep gum disease under control. Without treatment or routine cleanings, patients face painful and expensive oral surgeries to repair diseased and damaged gums.
7. Receive Good Oral Hygiene Education
Most people have plenty of bad oral habits. From biting your nails to chewing ice, smoking, or skipping your nightly toothbrush routine, we often fail to take good care of our teeth, mouth, and gums.
Regular visits with your dentist can help you stay on track with better oral hygiene. If your brushing method isn’t getting the job done, your dentist can recommend a better toothbrush, toothpaste, or technique.
Regular dental visits allow professionals to get your mouth clean and cared for, but ongoing maintenance is up to you! Checking in with your dentist at least twice a year can help you stay accountable for better oral hygiene. Your dentist can also keep you informed about new treatments or practices to keep your mouth healthy and clean.
Choose the Best Dentists In Lone Tree
You’ll find the best benefits of regular dental exams when you choose the best dentists in Lone Tree! Willow Creek Dental is fully committed to helping you maintain good oral health. We use a modern approach to dental care, and we’ll never judge you if you’re nervous about seeking dental help.
Contact us to schedule your next dental check-up!