Why Are Regular Dental Checkups Important?

Maybe the first thing people notice about you is your smile. Whether you flash your pearly whites with pride, or your own sense of embarrassment drives you to hide your grill, dental checkups are always important. Not only does your smile give you confidence, but it also instills others' confidence in you. Keeping your smile shiny and bright involves a regular routine of brushing and flossing, but also regular dental visits

Obviously, proper home care is important if you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy but brushing and flossing alone isn't enough. Indeed, regular dental checkups are a key component of maintaining the appearance and health of your teeth. During regular dental visits, your dentist will perform a thorough cleaning of your teeth. He will help to prevent the build-up of plaque and ultimately reduce the likelihood that cavities will form. Plaque build-up is the most likely cause of tooth decay and bad breath. In addition, your dentist will often take x-rays and use other diagnostic tools to ensure that your teeth are healthy and sound. Indeed, prevention is a much more effective technique for maintaining dental health than treating dental issues.

Another reason dental checkups are important is that most people do an inadequate job of cleaning their teeth at home. Even though we know we should brush and floss at least twice a day, most of us are either too busy or forgetful to maintain a proper cleaning schedule. Your dentist's cleanings therefore help to ensure that our teeth are properly cleaned. Furthermore, individuals who smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol are at great risk of oral disease and tooth decay. Regular dental visits help to remove nicotine build-up or other stains that ultimately degrade your smile

Dentists are also excellent sources of information with respect to what you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy. By visiting your dentist regularly, s/he will point you in the direction of new products or better techniques for home care. At the same time, your dentist can help you learn about which foods and substances have the biggest impact on your oral health. Many patients might underestimate the learning opportunities available when they visit their dentist regularly; however, your dentist is not only familiar with best practices, but also how different health conditions (such as diabetes or gum disease) or behaviors (such as your eating habits) are likely to impact your dental health.

Prevention is certainly the most reasonable excuse to seek regular dental checkups. We at NOVADENT suggest that you visit your dentist every 6 months for routine cleaning and inspection of your teeth and gums. Your vigilance with respect to dental health can prevent cavities, tooth decay, oral cancers, and many other conditions that are detrimental to your overall health and well-being.