You probably already know that you should visit your dentist every six months, but if you’re not in pain and don’t have any obvious signs of tooth decay, it can be tempting to put off your checkups.
It’s not a great idea waiting until you have a problem before visiting the dentist. Scheduling regular checkups and cleanings is one of the best ways you can keep your teeth healthy. Here are some reasons why.
Your Dentist at Holistic Dental Donvale Can Spot Early Signs of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, you probably won’t notice the first signs of tooth decay at all as it’s so subtle. Slightly soft areas or chalky white spots indicate that the enamel on the tooth is losing minerals and starting to deteriorate.
If your dentist spots this first sign of decay, it’s usually possible to halt and reverse the decay process with a good diet, proper dental hygiene, and a topical remineralising treatment.
However, once the decay sets in and causes cavities in your teeth, it’s too late – you’ll need a filling to restore your tooth. This not only has a cost to your hip pocket but a biological cost, as it weakens the teeth long term.
If you visit your dental clinic for regular checkups, your dentist can look out for early signs of decay and can help you to prevent any further damage.
A Deeper Clean than You Can Get at Home
Regular brushing and flossing is the best way to get your teeth clean on a daily basis, But just like your home needs a proper deep clean every once in a while, your teeth will benefit from a more thorough cleaning every six months.
Even if you’re particular about your dental hygiene, there are spaces in your mouth that are difficult to reach with normal brushing and flossing alone. Your dentist has professional tools and is skilled at cleaning every single nook and cranny in your teeth, which helps to remove stubborn stains and prevent decay.
On the other hand, if you have a habit of rushing brushing your teeth or skipping flossing completely, there’s a good chance you could have a build-up of tartar on your teeth. Tartar is a hard substance that forms from plaque. It can’t be removed by brushing alone, and it can lead to gum inflammation and tooth decay.
Your dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar gently from your teeth without damaging the enamel or your gums so that it won’t cause you any problems later. This leaves your teeth shiny, smooth and easy to maintain.
Prevent Gum Disease
Your dentist doesn’t just look after the health of your teeth. Regular checkups and cleanings can make sure your gums are healthy too.
Gum disease happens when plaque and tartar build up around the gum line, causing inflammation and bleeding. Gum disease is reversible in the early stages, but if left untreated, it will progress into a more serious condition. Severe gum disease can result in bone loss, loose teeth, and eventually losing teeth completely.
Check for Signs of Oral Cancer
Oral or mouth cancer accounts for around 6.5% of all cancers diagnosed in Australia.
There’s currently no screening available for mouth cancer in Australia, but your dentist can spot symptoms such as lumps, sores, or patches on the mouth or gums that you may not have noticed yourself.
As with many cancers, early detection of oral cancer often a higher chance of successful treatment and a better prognosis. Oral cancer can spread quickly, so attending regular dental checkups means that your dentist can spot early warning signs and refer you for further diagnostic tests.
Don’t Delay – Book a Checkup at Holistic Dental Donvale Today
These days we all lead busy lives, and it’s easy to forget how important regular checkups are. But a quick dental checkup and cleaning could make a big difference to your health. Give the team at Holistic Dental Donvale a call on (03) 9842 6572 to book your checkup today.
