By Tarinabo Sounyo
Amy: "Ouch! My teeth hurt so badly 😫.”
Amy: "I’d just leave it; the pain would subside with time."
A month later,
Amy: "Temi, could you help me check what’s up with my mouth?"
Temi: “Babe, it’s not just your teeth; your gums are swollen. You need to see the dentist ASAP!"
Why, why, why do many people always wait until their oral health has deteriorated before they see the need to see a dentist?
Regular dental check-ups are just as important as other regular health check-ups we do in clinics. After all, the oral cavity is a part of the body. Why ignore it then?
So hey, I'm here to give you a few reasons why you should book an appointment with the dentist on a "regular" basis. Yeah, I said "regular"😏; not once in 100 years, okay 30 years😂😂. Are you interested in knowing? You most definitely should be.
1. It safeguards your teeth and gums
During the dental exam, your dentist will examine your overall oral health and look for any problem areas. These check-ups enable the dentist to detect early abnormalities such as chipped or broken teeth, uneven wear, or thinning enamel, which will worsen if not managed. This can then be treated with less invasive methods than if you had gone years without seeing a dentist. And, because less invasive methods are used, all of your teeth will most likely be able to stay in your mouth, and you won't have to worry about dental emergencies. A professional cleaning also aids in the health of your teeth and gums. Isn't that amazing?
2. It aids in the maintenance of your body's health
Your dentist may perform a scale and polish during routine check-ups to remove plaque from hard-to-reach areas. If you have a lot of plaque in your mouth, you're more likely to get heart disease, cancer, and other things like strokes or heart attacks. So, for better overall health, make sure to schedule regular dental check-ups. If you are considering skipping a dental check-up due to time constraints or dental phobia, make sure to weigh all of the dangers. What you may wind up paying in the long run for not visiting your dentist is likely to be far more, both financially and in terms of your peace of mind.
Also, tooth pain and gum disease are two problems that can be detected and treated when you get regular examinations. Cavities do not always cause pain; in fact, unless they are left untreated for an extended period of time, cavities rarely cause pain. However, pain could indicate that you are grinding your teeth, have a damaged tooth, or have an abscess. Gum disease can impact your entire body in addition to your mouth. As a result, one of our top priorities is to screen for gum disease.
3. Screening for cancer
When you have dental check-ups, your dentist will usually screen for oral cancer as part of the normal health screening. If anything unexpected is discovered, if you attend these sessions on a regular basis, it will be detected early, resulting in less intrusive treatment and a better overall prognosis. If you smoke or consume large amounts of alcohol, it is recommended that you get regular dental check-ups every 6 months to ensure that any signs of disease are discovered immediately and to aid in smoking cessation. In addition to a visual scan, your dentist may utilize a special tool to pinpoint questionable areas of oral tissue. This can literally save your life.
4. Maintaining Control of Bad Habits
There are numerous poor habits that can be detrimental to your oral health. 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 are all examples of bad habits. When you have regular dental checkups, your dentist can look for any oral damage caused by these or other habits that you may not have noticed otherwise.
5. Advantages in terms of appearance
Once you've exhausted all of the basic benefits of maintaining proper oral hygiene, you and your dental team can start talking about cosmetic procedures if you want to improve the appearance of your smile. If you have a problem with dental misalignment, a check-up is an excellent time to explore treatment options such as Invisalign or transparent braces. Would you like to have your teeth whitened? Alternatively, if you have gaps in your grin, you might use your check-ups to inquire about oral implants. And, with a clear bill of health from your most recent check-up, there will be no delays in attaining that straighter and whiter smile that you desire.
6. Confidence
Finally, there is a lot to be said for having a healthy, white set of teeth. After all, 97 percent of individuals admit to making snap judgments based on someone's smile the first time they meet them! Having your teeth checked on a regular basis will not only keep them whiter, but will also prevent the buildup of plaque and calculus, both of which are not only harmful to your health but may also be physically unappealing. Attending frequent oral check-ups will also help prevent any problems from becoming more severe, which can help avoid dental extractions and tooth loss due to gum disease, both of which are detrimental to one's self-esteem.
Every six months, go to the dentist.
It is advised to visit the dentist twice a year because brushing and flossing can only remove so many germs. Bacterial growth becomes resistant at a certain point, adhering to surfaces on and between the teeth even after rigorous cleaning and flossing. This is when you should call in the specialists and visit your dentist, who will use specialized instruments to manually remove the caked-on tartar, restoring your teeth's health and cleanliness.
When it comes to maintaining healthy teeth, an ounce of prevention can go a long way. So, stop looking for an excuse to avoid going to the dentist🙃.
Tags:
Dental Education