Importance of Dental Checkups: Why Regular Care is the Best Care

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3. Importance of Dental Checkups: Why Regular Care is the Best Care

There are lots of things that can cause problems with your mouth, and some of them are easier to miss than others. Even if you think your teeth are in good condition, you might be missing something small that can lead to a big problem.

Your dentist is able to help you check for these problems. They have tools and training that let them see things you might not. They can even check inside your mouth and jaw with X-rays that let them see past the skin and gum. Getting on top of problems early will save you a lot of time and bother later.

Tooth Development

The earlier you take your child to the dentist, the sooner they can start keeping track of their tooth development. Crowded, missing, or crooked teeth are much easier to treat if they’re discovered early. Treatment times are shorter, there’s less discomfort, and it’s a lot cheaper, too.

Protecting Your Children’s Teeth

Mouth Guards

If your children play a sport where their teeth can be injured, be sure to get a mouthguard from the dentist. Your dentist will be able to provide a custom-fitting mouth guard that offers superior protection to those you can buy at a pharmacist.

Sealants

Sealants are thin plastic coatings that go on the back teeth. By covering the rough, uneven surfaces of those teeth, sealants offer a barrier against decay. This added protection can last for years, and is even available for adults.

A Stunning Smile

Stained, cracked, and chipped teeth can all be easily fixed with modern technologies and materials.

• Teeth whitening treatments come in a variety of styles these days. They’re broadly split into two categories — at-home whitening, and “in-chair” or “in-office”. At-home kits are taken home and applied at your own leisure. In-chair whitening is performed at the dentist’s, and offers superior results, faster.
• Cosmetic veneers are thin sheets of material that are used to lighten, lengthen, adjust and reshape teeth. Usually made out of resin or porcelain, they offer a fast, affordable means of fixing chipped and cracked teeth without intense restorative work.

Picking Up Problems Early

Decay

The sooner you or your dentist identifies and treats tooth decay, the better. If caught early enough, some decay can even be reversed simply by improving your at-home oral hygiene and cutting down on sugary foods. Less dental work means less inconvenience and cost, so always get checked!

Gum Disease

Gum disease is caused by bacteria collecting and growing under the gum. It’s one of the most common causes of tooth loss in adults. If left untreated, gum disease will cause redness, swelling, inflammation, and eventually, decay of the tissue around a tooth. Gum and bone can both be eaten away by the bacteria, resulting in the tooth becoming loose and falling out.

This is a painful process, and not an easy one to fix.

Luckily long before you get to that stage, gum disease starts as something called “gingivitis”, or inflammation of the gum. This is basically redness, swelling, and maybe bleeding around the gum. If you catch it early, you can treat it just by being extra vigilant with your brushing and flossing. A professional clean from a dentist will also help clear it right up.

Plaque

Plaque is a layer of bacteria that coats teeth. If it’s not removed, it can harden into something called tartar or calculus. This hardened material can’t be removed through regular brushing and flossing.

Your dentist and their team have special tools to remove hardened plaque and tartar from around your teeth. Visit your dentist twice a year to get your teeth checked and clean to keep them healthy for longer.

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