Don’t Skip Your General Dentistry Appointment: Reasons Dental Visits Are Important

Many people find visiting the dentist a tedious or even scary proposition.  However, making and keeping your general dentistry appointment is very important, not only for the health and appearance of your smile, but also for your overall well-being. Sometimes understanding what we do and why it is important may help so here are a few things that will happen at your next visit.

The Dental Check-Up process

A dental professional will first check for any cavities, tartar, and plaque buildup on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that starts building on your teeth 4-12 hours after brushing – which is why it is recommended to brush twice a day.  If not treated, plaque buildup can harden into tartar. Tartar can only be removed by a dentist or hygienist because flossing and brushing cannot do so.

Next your mouth will be inspected with a special tool that measures the spacing of your gums and teeth. Generally, with healthy gums, spaces tend to be shallow. Conversely, spaces are much deeper when an individual has gum disease.

Your check-up will also include inspections of your throat, tongue, neck, and head, to see for any signs of swelling or even cancer.

Professional Cleaning

Remember that regular brushing and flossing cannot remove tartar so one of the main benefits of your visit is the removal of tarter using a special handheld instrument to scale, or scrape, the tartar and plaque from your teeth.

Once the scaling is complete, teeth are sometimes polished with a special paste that will further clean and remove surface stains from your teeth.

The final step of your dental cleaning will be flossing by your dental professional to ensure your teeth and gums are clean.

General Dentistry Saves You Money

Routine exams and Teeth Cleaning can end up saving you a lot of money. Preventive care removes the need to spend large sums to repair or replace damaged teeth as a result of poor or neglected oral hygiene. Even individuals who regularly brush may sometimes find themselves needing costly dental work that could have been avoided by regular checkups.

Early Detection of Dental Problems

At routine exams, potential problems can be spotted before they escalate to emergencies. For example, soft spots on the teeth can be addressed before they become cavities that require fillings or root canals. Also, gum disease can be noticed in the early stages and prompt treatment can be initiated to prevent costlier and painful procedures in the future.

Frequency of General Dentistry appointments

Ideally, you should see your dentist every six months, but at a minimum, once a year. Depending on your circumstance and dental health status your dentist may recommend more frequent appointments to get your smile back to where it should be.

Maintenance Between Visits

It is always important to remember that while regular dental visits keep your teeth clean of tartar you also need to maintain a regular habit of daily brushing and flossing. It is recommended that you brush at least twice a day with a toothpaste that has fluoride. Try and use a mouth wash after brushing and make sure you floss to further clean your mouth of bacteria.

To learn more about how regular exams and cleanings are important or to schedule your dental checkup in our Cedar Park, TX practice, please contact Reveal Dental at (512) 337-2316. Our staff continuously trains on the latest equipment and techniques to provide our customers with the highest level of service.