If you’re not experiencing a problem with your oral health, you might be tempted to skip your dental check-ups. Most dentists recommend a check-up every six months, and there are several reasons why you shouldn’t miss these appointments. Keeping regular appointments with Dr. Jason Petkevis will keep your smile healthy for a lifetime.
What To Expect At A Regular Dental Visit
A regular dental visit has two parts: a professional cleaning by a hygienist and a full-mouth examination by a dentist. Usually the cleaning is performed first, but if are due for your annual X-rays, those will be taken before the dentist comes to examine your mouth.
The visit gives the dentist the opportunity to check for cavities, ensure teeth are rooted properly, and to identify and prevent small issues from becoming major problems. Even a good at-home oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing and flossing every day needs to be supplemented by a professional cleaning and exam.
Why Are Professional Teeth Cleanings Necessary?
Brushing and flossing at home are the most important parts of your oral health, so why is it important to get professional cleanings?
Over time, even with excellent oral hygiene, plaque and tartar build up on teeth and require special tools to be removed. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria that builds up as oral bacteria break down sugars from leftover food particles in our mouths. Even though brushing and flossing remove a lot of plaque, it’s still difficult to get it all, and over time it builds up to form a hard layer on the teeth called tartar. Tartar cannot be removed with floss or a toothbrush, and is the first stage of tooth decay.
During a cleaning, your hygienist uses special tools to remove tartar and can offer you insight on areas where you might need to take extra care such as behind the teeth or in between the molars. They will also use a professional-grade toothpaste to brush your teeth and floss to make sure there is no plaque buildup.
Prevent Tooth Decay With Regular Dental Checkups
Tooth decay affects everyone and if left untreated, can lead to serious health problems such as tooth loss, abscesses, and other systemic health problems. Many people with tooth decay don’t know they have it until it’s a big problem. Your dentist will spot any problems before they become major, saving you money and discomfort by treating them early. Small cavities are much easier to treat than abscesses!
Schedule an Appointment with Dental Distinction
Scheduling and keeping checkups with your dentist is essential to maintaining good oral health and will help you avoid potentially uncomfortable and expensive procedures. If you need a checkup, call 610.400.1459 or schedule your appointment online.