Refusing to go to the dentist can cost you more than the actual fees.
A pending dental appointment can make you feel nervous and
anxious. Going to the dentist is something that ranks last on your monthly
checklist.
Plus, you can find a thousand reasons to skip your dental
appointment. However, you don't know that you are causing problems with your
teeth.
Regular dental check-ups are an essential step in keeping
your dental health under control. Regular dental checkups help keep your teeth
and gums healthy. Ideally, you should visit the dentist at least once every six
months.
How does a dentist perform your exam when you visit?
A visit to the dentist consists mainly of two parts. As part
of a routine dental exam, a dentist will examine every part of your tooth.
After that, your dentist may take X-rays.
Then, if your teeth require it, you can perform a dental
cleaning procedure. If necessary, your dentist will provide you with a
follow-up plan and schedule future appointments.
The basics of every dental visit are:
- Review
and update your dental history
- Blood
pressure test
- Examine
the gums and teeth for cavities.
- Complete
professional cleaning of the mouth called oral prophylaxis.
- X-ray
examination for severe dental problems.
Therefore, you should have regular dental check-ups with
your dentist.
In addition, there may be other reasons why it is vital that
you visit your dentist. Here are some reasons that will prompt you to have
regular dental checkups.
To detect oral cancer
Oral cancer is considered an extremely serious disease that
manifests itself in a variety of ways. Oral cancer includes cancer of the mouth
and back of the throat. Cancer can develop on the tongue, the tissues that line
the mouth and gums, and the throat area.
The risk of this cancer occurs most often in people over the
age of 40. Oral cancer can progress rapidly without showing signs or symptoms.
However, you can develop some symptoms, including:
- Pain,
irritation, or infection in the mouth or throat.
- White
or red spot in the mouth.
- Difficulty
chewing, swallowing, or speaking.
- Numbness
in the tongue
Why is it important to diagnose oral cancer?
The goal of the diagnosis of oral cancer is its early
detection because it can spread quickly. Most dentists perform the test during
regular dental exams. Your dentist can examine your face, neck, lips, and your
entire mouth for possible signs of cancer.
To detect plaque and cavities
While brushing and flossing help keep teeth clean, they may
not reach all areas of the mouth.
Regular dental cleaning prevents tartar from eroding teeth
or creating holes. Once the holes are created, there is a greater chance that
cavities will form. When decay has already penetrated a tooth, there may be
pain. Cavities can cause signs and symptoms such as:
- Toothache
or spontaneous pain that occurs for no known reason
- Visible
holes or gaps in teeth.
- Brown,
black, or white spots on the surface of the teeth.
- Pain
when biting
Therefore, if tooth decay occurs, you should have regular
dental check-ups.
To detect gum disease
A regular visit to your dentist can prevent gum disease.
Plaque and tartar buildup can erode the gum tissue. This happens when tartar
buildup causes an infection where the gum tissue is connected to your tooth.
The infection is called gingivitis, and as it progresses, the gum tissue can
break down.
Plaque is considered to be the leading cause of gum disease.
However, other factors such as hormonal changes, poor oral hygiene, and smoking
can also worsen your chances of developing gum disease. Gum disease symptoms
may seem subtle at first, but they can take other forms, including:
- Gums
that bleed during and after brushing.
- Red
and swollen gums
- Formation
of deep pockets between the gums and teeth.
- Persistent
bad breath for no reason
- Loose
or moving teeth
To check the head, neck, and lymph nodes.
Your dentist will examine your head, neck, and lymph nodes
for any swelling, bumps, or other abnormalities. Swollen lymph nodes may not
hurt all the time. However, it could be a sign of cancer or other illnesses
that require immediate attention.
When you go for dental check-ups, it will only take a few
minutes for your dentist to examine the abnormalities in your neck and lymph
nodes. If they find a problem, they can refer you to a dedicated specialist in
the field.
Stopping Bad Habits
Many bad habits can damage your oral health. Some of them
you may be aware of, such as smoking, chewing paan, or eating too much sugary
food. There are other bad habits, often done unconsciously, that also cause
dental problems. These include clenching the jaw, grinding teeth, biting nails,
brushing the teeth too hard, or using the wrong type of toothbrush. Drinking too
much coffee or red wine can cause teeth to become stained. These and other
habits cause problems that develop very slowly so that the effect they have on
your teeth and gums is not noticed until the problem demands extensive
treatment which could take up a lot of time, incur excessive costs, and may have
residual effects even after treatment. A dentist will spot these problems
during a checkup and, if it requires treatment, begin the process. If it
involves habits you will need to control, give you advice on how to go about
it.
These are just a few of the common dental problems that we
are all subject to but against which we can protect ourselves by ensuring that
regular dental checkups form part of our healthcare regimen.
Good dental health is a cornerstone of physical and mental well-being. Besides the pain and discomfort that dental conditions can cause, the way dental diseases can affect your face and your appearance may lead to a loss of self-confidence that may have a negative impact on your professional, social, and personal relationships. The basis of good dental health is regular dental checkups. Once you and your family start going to a dental clinic that has both highly qualified and experienced doctors and cutting-edge dental equipment and technology, you can be confident that your dental health is in good hands. Following the dentist’s advice on oral hygiene matters will keep your family protected and if any medical issues should arise, they will be spotted and diagnosed early so that recovery treatment can start early when it is most effective.