3 Key Reasons Your Family Needs Regular Dental Checkups
Did you know your mouth is filled with millions of bacteria? Some are harmful, some are harmless, and some are even helpful. The harmful bacteria are the ones that need regular attention and preventative dental care before they cause real damage to your oral health.
Good Oral Hygiene: What It Really Means
Oral hygiene refers to how well you care for your teeth and mouth. For good oral health, nothing beats regular, preventative dental care by a registered hygienist at a dental clinic. For most people, professional teeth cleanings are recommended every six months. All too often, tooth decay begins at a young age, and too many kids have too many cavities.
It’s important to set a good example for others in your household. That starts with eating healthy, followed by brushing after each meal, particularly a meal that includes sugary foods and dark sodas or coffee. Believe it or not, even your teens may pick up on these healthy habits if you consistently set a good example. And regular pediatric dental visits let your kids hear from professionals why oral health is so important, reinforcing the good habits you set at home.
Read on for three important reasons to schedule regular dental checkups — for yourself and every member of your family, no matter what age.
1. Prevent Painful and Costly Problems
The fact is that people who have regular preventative dental care face fewer problems with their oral health. Tartar and plaque build up no matter how often and thoroughly you care for your teeth at home. Having a professional teeth cleaning removes that tartar and plaque.
Cleanings can prevent serious problems, such as gum disease and tooth decay (cavities). These issues become more painful — and more expensive to treat — if you delay dental care. Regular cleanings also help with minor issues like bad breath and stains on your teeth.
2. Screen for Cancer, Gum Disease, and More
Whether you realize it or not, you dentist is checking for early signs of oral cancer during each visit.
They inspect your gums, cheeks, tongue, lips, and even your jaw. These soft tissue screenings are as important as the dental cleaning you get during the same visit. Just like other cancers, early detection of oral cancer allows for early treatment, which greatly helps your chances for a full recovery.
During your routine visit, your dentist also checks for non-cancerous issues, and they may detect a change in the tissue of your mouth even before you notice it. In addition, oral health is linked to chronic conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. If you’re at risk, discuss these issues with your dentist during your next visit.
3. Learn Good Oral Care Habits
There are a lot of over-the-counter products for oral health, some with exaggerated claims about helping to care for your teeth and mouth at home. The best advice won’t be found in the media — it can only come from experts at an adult or pediatric dental care office.
During your next visit, be sure to discuss good habits for oral care at home. And before trying new products you see advertised, like electric toothbrushes and newly formulated toothpaste or mouthwash, ask your dentist office staff about them, including their safety and effectiveness.
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