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So, Are Dental Checkups Worth the Effort?
Dentists and dental professionals are not only concerned with fixing teeth. They professionally clean your teeth, aim to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy, and check for abnormalities that may otherwise go unnoticed and could be a sign of larger health issues.
Dental professionals make sure that your bones are strong, and will help you correct any habits that may be sabotaging your oral health, among other things.
Regular dental checkups are essential for maintaining good oral health. However, many people tend to skip these checkups due to various reasons such as cost, time constraints, and dental anxiety. Skipping a dental checkup may seem like a small issue, but it can have significant consequences in the long run.
6 reasons why regular dental checkups are important
Skipping dental appointments may not seem like a big deal, but oral issues can develop and progress extremely quickly whether or not you notice it.
Here are six reasons why regular dental checkups are important:
Plaque, Tartar, and Cavities
Even the most diligent brushers and flossers may miss small areas in the mouth that can lead to the buildup of plaque, tartar, and cavities. When plaque builds up it becomes more difficult to remove, solidifying and turning into tartar, which is extremely difficult to get rid of without professional help. Professional dental cleanings can help remove these deposits, these cleaning is less expensive than treatments such as fillings.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is a common issue caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar that can erode the gums' tissues. This happens when tartar buildup causes an infection where the gum is connected to the tooth, making the gum pull away from the tooth. This infection is known as gingivitis and as it progresses the tissue that attaches gums to the teeth breaks down.
Regular dental checkups can help detect and treat gum disease before it progresses and causes more significant issues, such as tooth loss.
Keeping Bad Habits in Check
Many habits such as chewing ice, biting nails, clenching jaws, grinding teeth, eating sticky or hard sweets, brushing teeth too hard, drinking coffee and red wine, and smoking can have a negative impact on oral health. Regular dental checkups can help identify any damage caused by these habits and provide advice on how to avoid them.
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, and can find and diagnose issues that may be invisible to the naked eye. Problems such as impacted teeth, jawbone damage, swelling, cysts, or tumors can be diagnosed early and treated appropriately.
Head, Neck, and Lymph Node Checks
During a dental checkup, your dentist will also check your neck, jaw, and lymph nodes, located just below your jawline, for any swelling, lumps, or other abnormalities, which could indicate a more severe health issue. Identifying any issues early can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes.
Oral Cancer Detection
Oral cancer is a severe disease that can progress rapidly and become life-threatening if not detected early. Regular dental checkups can help detect early signs of oral cancer, which can be treated effectively.
As parents, we want to give our children the best possible start in life. One way to do this is by ensuring that their oral health is taken care of from a young age. Many parents underestimate the importance of regular dental check-ups for their children. However, it is crucial to have your child's teeth checked regularly by a dental professional, starting with their first mouth check by the age of two.
Pediatric Dental Care
Early dental check-ups are essential because they allow for the detection of small problems before they become larger and more difficult to treat. The early signs of tooth decay and other oral health issues can easily be missed by families, which is why it is important to have a professional examine your child's teeth. A dental professional can also provide treatments such as fluoride application and dental sealants to help prevent decay.
Furthermore, regular dental check-ups give parents the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns they may have with a dental professional. This can help alleviate any fears or anxieties parents may have about their child's oral health and ensure that their child is receiving the best possible care.
Making it a positive experience for your child
While regular dental check-ups are important, it is also essential to make the experience positive and enjoyable for your child. Here are some tips for making your child's dental visit a positive one:
Prepare your child for what to expect by reading storybooks about visits to the dentist or by playing dentist at home.
Take your child with you when you have a check-up so that they can see what happens and become familiar with the process.
Talk about dental visits being a part of their regular routine that helps to keep them healthy. Highlight the new, interesting, and fun aspects of visiting the dental clinic.
Schedule dental appointments early in the day so that your child is not tired.
Arrive a little before the appointment time to let your child become familiar with the new surroundings.
In conclusion, dental checkups are essential for maintaining good oral health and overall health. Skipping these checkups may seem like a minor issue, but it can lead to more severe issues in the long run. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize regular dental checkups to ensure optimal health and well-being.
Bespoke Dental Damansara Heights
This article is courtesy Dr Karpaham Balasubramaniam of Bespoke Dental Damansara Heights who believes a good set of teeth will never go out of fashion. Dr. Karpaham believes that oral checkups can start at a young age too, and she offers pediatric as well as adult check ups.
For IBU members, she offers 10% for services: scaling, filling, whitening , wisdom tooth surgery & invisalign.
Do treat this as an invitation to IBU x Bespoke Dental Open Day on 27th to 29th April, 2023. This is a free dental scan on state of the art machines. Any further procedures recommended will be at a 20% discount.
Book your slot here , bring your family over, just RSVP the numbers