Have you ever taken a bite of delicious ice cream only to be distracted from your favourite flavour by a sharp pain in your teeth? Perhaps you feel self conscious about your smile? These and many more reasons are why regular dental visits and dental care are important for everyone.
5 Reasons to Regularly See Your Dentist
If you regularly visit your dentist — every 6 months or so — you can expect to get some awesome benefits.
Get Rid of Any Bacteria Build-Up
It’s no secret that the mouth is a place where bacteria can breed easily. This bacteria is what causes a lot of oral health issues, including gum disease and bad breath. However, regular trips to the dentist will keep bacteria at bay. As part of a 6-monthly clean, your dentist will remove any plaque or calculus (this is the bacteria latching onto your teeth). Of course, it’s important you do your part too and maintain a good oral hygiene routine at home to get rid of bacteria between dental visits.
Show Off Those Pearly Whites
While a regular and thorough home oral hygiene routine is important for keeping your teeth clean and white, it’s next to impossible to replicate that deep clean you get at the dentist’s. Using the latest tools and technology, your dentist will not only clean your teeth but also give them a polish so they’re shining and white as can be. They will also even feel cleaner, giving you a satisfying mouth feel.
If you still want whiter teeth, during your check-up is a good time to talk to your dentist about it. They can recommend safe and effective teeth whitening solutions that best suit you.
Catch Tooth Decay, Gum Disease & Oral Cancer Before It’s Too Late
It’s tricky to always be on top of your teeth’s condition. Most of us don’t thoroughly check them every day. As a result, we are likely to miss critical signs that something is wrong, until things start to get really bad. This includes tooth decay and cavities. Cavities start small but can do a lot of damage. You may need to have a filling or even the tooth removed.
However, if you’re seeing your dentist every 6 months, you can rest assured that they’ll spot those crucial early warning signs of tooth decay. In fact, they will also check for any evidence of gum disease and oral cancer. If they do spot evidence of any of these, they can then take swift action.
For tooth decay and gum disease, they may treat it then and there. Alternatively, they may have you come back for a few more appointments to deal with the issue and get your oral health up to scratch. For oral cancer, they may be able to treat it in the clinic or you may be referred to a specialist.
Ask Those Burning Questions
Your regular dental visit is your chance to ask your dentist all those questions you have about your personal dental care. Take advantage of their expertise and be proactive about your oral health and smile. For instance, you may have been considering a form of cosmetic dentistry, like veneers or implants. While it’s great to do your own research, you won’t get better information than from the horse’s (or dentist’s) mouth. As they’re familiar with your oral health and teeth, they’ll be able to help you decide on the best way forward. They may also provide the service and can book an appointment for you to get started.
Brush Up On Your Brushing Skills
You and your dentist are a team, committed to ensuring your optimal oral health. Your dentist does their part, checking your teeth and mouth and providing that professional clean and polish. But you need to hold up your end too. That means making sure you’re brushing your teeth properly and following other good oral hygiene practices.
In case you need a refresher or a few pointers, your regular dentist visit is the perfect time to ask for advice. For instance, your dentist can recommend the best toothpaste for your teeth — perhaps you need something with more fluoride? — as well as take you through proper brushing and flossing techniques so you can be an at-home oral hygiene superstar!
Organise Your Next Dental Visit Today!
If you’re raring to take advantage of all these amazing benefits, you’re in luck. You can book an appointment today to see a talented and friendly dental team — just look for dentists near you. They’ll get your teeth in tip-top shape and answer any questions you may have.