Don’t Slip Up With Your Regular Dental Check-Ups
Has it been more than six months since you last saw your dentist? You’re probably not alone! Here’s why booking regular dental check-ups is the best way to maintain good oral health and keep your teeth in top condition.
Don’t Slip Up With Your Regular Dental Check-Ups
Whether it’s work, school or a busy social life, it’s all too easy to let our health take a back seat. When it comes to our oral health, seeing a dentist for a regular check-up every six months is an important step in preventing dental issues - yet many of us forget to keep up with these appointments.
If you haven’t booked your regular dental check-up for a while, here’s what to expect at your appointment and why it’s important to keep up to date with your six-monthly check-ins.
What’s included in a regular dental check-up?
Oral inspection
To begin with, the dentist will conduct a thorough assessment of your mouth. This is to check for cavities, possible gum disease, tooth decay, or any other oral health issues.
If you’re seeing this dentist for the first time - or if it’s been a while since your last visit - they may want to take some dental x-rays, which will allow them to assess your teeth, jaws and mouth in more detail.
Cleaning
Once your oral inspection is complete, it’s time for the cleaning. This will involve an in-depth brush and floss of your teeth. If you experience any discomfort or sensitivity in your mouth during your clean, the dentist may recommend you use a special toothpaste for a while.
Questions and concerns
After your check-up and clean, you’ll have the opportunity to chat with your dentist about any oral health issues you’ve been experiencing. This can help to identify potential problems that may need to be addressed going forward.
Follow-up
In most cases, your dentist will recommend booking another visit in six months, so you can keep up to date with your regular dental check-ups. However, if there are any concerns that need to be addressed, you may need to schedule an appointment sooner.
At the end of your visit, your dentist will remind you to maintain your oral health routine by flossing and brushing your teeth twice a day.
How often should I see my dentist for a check-up?
In general, a regular check-up with your dentist every six months will be sufficient. However, if you have ongoing dental issues, you may need to visit your dentist more frequently. Talk to your National Dental Care dentist about how often you should be attending your check-ups.
Why is it important to see your dentist regularly?
A regular dental check-up is an important part of ensuring your teeth, gums and mouth remain healthy. Even if you maintain a good oral hygiene routine, problems can still arise and, if left unattended, can lead to more serious issues.
Visiting your dentist regularly is the first step in identifying oral health issues early, so action can be taken to prevent them from getting worse.
Regular check-ups with your dentist can help you avoid problems such as tooth decay, migraines, cavities, and sleep apnoea. Here are some of the concerns that can potentially arise if you don’t keep on top of your regular check-ins:
Migraines
You might think that headaches have nothing to do with your teeth - however, if you repeatedly clench your jaw or grind your teeth, this can lead to the development of a migraine. In addition, bacterial build-up from not flossing or brushing teeth regularly can impact your oral health and contribute to pain in the mouth, face, and head.
Cavities
If you let your oral health routine slip, plaque and tartar can build up in your mouth, causing cavities to form. If left untreated, these can damage the rest of your teeth and lead to severe mouth pain, and may eventually result in the need for fillings or even removal of teeth.
Sleep Apnoea
Sleep apnoea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. You might be surprised to learn that your dentist can investigate the cause of this condition, which may be due to soft tissue at the back of your throat collapsing, or the brain failing to signal your muscles to move. Regular dental check-ups can enable your dentist to identify the cause and help address your sleep apnoea.
Other Dental Issues
If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort in your mouth - or another problem such as bad breath - regular check-ins with your dentist can help to identify what’s causing the issue and whether it stems from an oral health condition. Once the condition has been diagnosed, your dentist will be able to recommend the best treatment plan.
If you’ve had ‘book my dental check-up’ on your to-do list for far too long, why not with your National Dental Care dentist today? Trust us, your teeth will thank you for it!