Do you remember your last dentist appointment? According to the Australian Dental Association (ADA), 68 % of Australians haven’t seen their dentist in two years, while 25% haven’t gone in five years. Most would only schedule a visit when they have a toothache, a cracked tooth, or infected gums. Unfortunately, the ADA believes regular visits would have prevented decay and other oral problems from getting worse.
Why Is It Important to Go to the Dentist?
Dentist appointments are necessary for maintaining your health. Just as you would eat right and work out, keeping your dental health in tip-top shape factors in your overall constitution. Yes, it allows you to understand the state of your teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth better, but it could also indicate other underlying conditions, such as diabetes, anemia, acid reflux, and even cancer.
How Often Should You Book a Dentist Appointment?
According to old beliefs, a dentist appointment every six months is ideal. However, Singapore’s Ministry of Health states that it’s outdated. Those who practise reasonably good oral hygiene (low-risk patients) could do with a yearly check. Meanwhile, those dealing with dental diseases should book a visit based on their dentist’s recommendation.
What happens during a dentist appointment? Your dental practitioner will likely ask about your general health. Did you experience any discomfort, pain, or anything unusual in your mouth area? Are you taking any medications? For example, a migraine could be due to a jaw condition. Your antihistamines could be the reason behind tooth decay.
4 Reasons to Keep Your Dentist Visit
Your dentist not only cleans your teeth but also provides tips and solutions to help make dental and oral care much easier for you. Here are just some of the things your dentist can do for you.
Identify and prevent potential issues.
Even if you think you may not have a tooth fracture or infection, a dentist visit is still of utmost importance. Dentists assess your oral cavity, which includes other parts of the mouth, such as your gums, inner cheeks, tongue, and palate.
They check if everything is in good shape or if any underlying issues could develop into worse problems: a spot that could progress to a cavity, worn molars from unconscious teeth grinding, or telltale signs of gum disease. They could even tell you if you favour one side of your mouth when brushing. Your dentist will then recommend treatments to nip any potential challenges in the bud.
Keep your teeth in good shape.
Even when you brush your teeth and floss regularly, sometimes, you just can’t avoid plaque and tartar formation. After all, some areas in your mouth are hard to reach. Regular cleaning prevents all this, thwarting painful cavities or tooth loss.
Dental care isn’t just essential to a great smile. Your teeth help with crucial functions, such as chewing and talking. Moreoever, poor oral hygiene could develop into conditions like periodontitis. Caused by bacteria buildup, it can lead to loose gums that cause teeth to fall out. It can also usher in other health conditions, such as stroke when left untreated.
Gaps from tooth loss can also shift the rest of your pearly whites, creating a misalignment that can result in other issues.
Resolve other issues related to oral health.
As mentioned earlier, your dental health could hint at other problems or vice versa. Do you have a persistent headache? It could be linked to a stiff mandible caused by a misaligned bite. Perhaps you’ve had trouble sleeping or you wake up with jaw pain – those could point to bruxism. Seeing your dentist can help identify and treat these issues – at least the oral aspect.
Help you achieve a great smile.
While wanting a great smile can seem shallow for some, it’s a source of confidence for the majority. Flashing straight pearly whites can help you feel better about yourself and improve your interactions in social situations. Seeing your dentist regularly means you can fix issues, such as crooked teeth, at the onset.
If deep bites or cross bites prevent you from showing your smile, your dentist can come up with an ideal treatment to suit you and your needs. Offering superior comfort and clarity, ClearCorrect’s aligners are practically invisible and work to straighten your teeth perfectly without affecting your daily life. It utilises a unique tri-layer ClearQuartz material and a flat trimline that looks good and makes you feel better knowing your confident smile is within reach.
Beam like a movie star and keep other health issues at bay. Just remember to book that dentist appointment regularly.
Reference:
Gum disease, inflammation, hardened arteries may be linked to stroke risk. (n.d.). American Heart Association.
