5 Reasons to See Your Local Dentist Twice a Year

Dental checkups may not be something that we look forward to, but they are important for maintaining good health. Here are five reasons why you should visit your dentist at least twice a year: 

1. Plaque Removal

Regardless of how well we brush and floss our teeth at home, it's difficult to remove plaque from all areas of the teeth. Plaque built up results in the formation of tartar, a black substance that attaches to the teeth and can cause gum disease. Tartar is difficult to remove with a tooth brush so special tools available at the dentist office are needed to remove this unwanted substance.

Tartar build up can result in the development of cavities. Cavities build up slowly without any warning. Plaque, tartar and cavities can be avoided by visiting the dentist regularly. With each step, the cost will likely increase: getting tartar removed from the teeth will cost less than having to get a cavity filled.

2. Prevention of periodontal disease

Like cavities, periodontal (gum) disease also goes unnoticed because it does not cause any pain in its early stages. Gum disease results from erosion of the gum tissues. It causes an infection at the point of connection between the tooth and gums. The condition not only effects gum tissue but it can also breakdown the bone holding the teeth in their position. Periodontal disease can also result in other serious problems such as heart disease and respiratory illness. Fortunately, these issues can be avoided by regularly visiting the dentist.

3. Identification of under-the-surface problems

With the help of X-ray imaging, the dentist can easily identify any problems that aren't visible to the naked eye. X-ray images enable the dentist to identify blocked teeth, bone decay, tumors, etc. Timely identification of these issues is important to ensure that they receive proper treatment.

4. Detection of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a potentially life-threatening disease that can be detected in its earliest stages - in many cases. Regular dental visits can help patients avoid the dangers of oral cancer as dentists are trained to detect the disease. 

For this purpose, they use a non-invasive Velscope cancer exam. This painless procedure involves the use of a special light that detects the tissue damage caused by tumors. After taking the patient’s sample in the office, the dentist sends it to lab to determine the possibility of cancer. Some of the risk factors for oral cancer include smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, bad diet, and age (risk is greater in men and women over 40).

5. Economical option

Regularly visiting the dentist increases the chances that any potentially serious problems are identified at an early stage, which enables that patient to avoid the additional cost of treating a badly-affected area.

The adage of prevention being better than cure holds true for dentistry as well. Regular visits to the dentist can help patients avoid a whole host of issues with their teeth. Visiting the dentist twice a year time can help them better identify issues and eradicate the identified issues before they become harmful to the patient.

Request an appointment here: https://smilesonmichigan.com or call Smiles On Michigan at (312) 509-9492 for an appointment in our Chicago office.