Have you ever wondered why your dentist recommends that you visit at least twice a year?
It’s because regular dental visits are essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums, and therefore the cornerstone of overall good health.
At My Local Dentists Northmead our regular checkups are designed to optimize your dental health and support your overall health as well.
Dental checkups are about more than just teeth
Plaque, Tartar, and Cavities. Even with diligent brushing and flossing, there are small areas in the mouth that regular brushing and flossing miss or have a difficult time reaching. When plaque builds up it becomes even more difficult to remove, solidifying and turning into tartar, which is extremely difficult to get rid of without professional help.
Regular dental cleanings prevent tartar from eroding teeth or creating holes in them, which allow cavities to take hold. Once erosion or cavities exist, you have to go to the dentist to have them dealt with. Regularly scheduled dental appointments that take care of plaque and tartar, are the best way to deal with these problems before they become more serious.
A cleaning appointment is also more affordable than getting a filling, so if money is important to you, make sure not to miss your regular cleanings!
Gum Disease. Plaque and tartar buildup not only cause tooth decay but can also damage your gums. Tartar buildup leads to infection, making the gums pull away from teeth. This infection is known as gingivitis and as it progresses the tissue that attaches gums to the teeth breaks down.
At this point there will be swelling, bleeding, or soreness in the mouth. Gum disease also leads to a breakdown of the bone that holds teeth in place. At this point it is common to see teeth loosening or falling out altogether and drastic treatment methods will have to be taken by a dental professional.
Oral cancer is a potentially fatal disease that manifests itself in various ways. Without knowing the signs of its early onset, oral cancer is often not diagnosed and can quickly progress and become life threatening. Your dentist is highly trained to recognize these signs and symptoms, and with regular dental checkups every six months the likelihood of catching oral cancer in time is dramatically higher. And, thankfully, an early stage oral cancer diagnosis is often easily treatable.
Keeping up those good dental habits. Bad habits can have a negative impact on your oral health, and in some cases we don’t even think of our habits as bad. Some bad habits include chewing ice, biting your nails, clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth, eating particularly sticky or hard sweets, brushing your teeth too hard, drinking coffee and red wine, and of course smoking. The good news is that your dentist can often catch damage at an early stage and recommend changes to habit that can ameliorate the problem.
Your dentist and hygienist are also your allies in good dental habits – happy to demonstrate or remind you of the proper ways to brush your teeth, floss, or irrigate your gums.
Uncovering hidden problems. One powerful dental diagnostic tool is the X-ray. X-rays allow dental professionals to see what is happening underneath the surfaces of the mouth, and can detect issues invisible to the unaided eye.
Head, neck, and lymph node checks. Your dentist will also check your neck, jaw, and lymph nodes, for swelling, lumps, or other abnormalities. If something out of the usual is discovered it could be a symptom of a larger health issue, and your dentist will alert you to it and refer you to an appropriate medical professional.
How often should I get checked up?
As mentioned, seeing a dentist twice a year works well for most people. Some need fewer visits while others may need more frequent visits. If your dentist identifies you as having a high risk of dental disease, you might need to visit every three or four months, or more.
This high-risk group includes:
- Smokers
- Pregnant women
- Diabetics
- People currently with gum disease
- People with a weak immune response to bacterial infection
- People who tend to get cavities or build up plaque
Dental Care at My Local Dentists Northmead
At My Local Dentists Northmead your oral health and the appearance of your smile is important to us. We care for patients of all ages, from infancy to the Golden Years. Our highly trained staff can treat any dental issue in patients with deep grooves and fissures in their teeth, or any other dental circumstance. Our commitment to our patients is dental health and an attractive smile for the holidays and a lifetime!
We like to make life a little bit easier for our patients by offering longer hours on weekdays and weekend appointments.
Call your Northmead dentist on (02) 9630 9996 or request your appointment online today!
Visit us at our conveniently located office: 19/5-7 Kleins Rd,Northmead, NSW 2152