For the past five decades, dentists have recommended that you make bi-annual visits to your dentist to help prevent any oral health problems from occurring. To help you understand more, here are 6 reasons why you should visit your dentist twice a year:

⦁ Tooth decay & cavities:

One of the most important reasons to regularly visit your dentist is prevent tooth decay and cavities. After thorough examination, cleaning is recommended to remove plaque and debris that can build up over time which your toothbrush and floss can’t get. Through a professional dental cleaning, your dentist takes care of all the areas you can’t reach as easily, and applies a fluoride gel that protects your teeth from cavities. It will also allow the dentist to see if there are any beginning signs of decay, so they can be addressed head-on and prevent it from becoming larger issues.

⦁ Gum Disease:

Similar to the above point, regular dental check-ups help prevent gum disease. When plaque and tartar have a chance to build-up, they can eat away at the tissue of the gum. If this issue escalates, it can cause your tooth to become loose within its socket and begin to pull away from the gum. This can further lead to breakdown of not only your gums but also the bone that holds your teeth in place! This is not only very painful, but can be very expensive to treat. Your best option is to have your teeth cleaned regularly to prevent this issue entirely.

⦁ Wear And Tear:

Our teeth do experience general wear and tear issues on occasion. You may or may not notice these problems. They could develop with pain or simply be cosmetic problems. During regular check up your dentist will examine and fix them as necessary. For example, a back tooth which is fractured may go unnoticed by you. Additionally, even if it’s not causing you pain, and left untreated, it can get infected and lead to more serious issues.

⦁ Other Health Issues:

Beyond getting your teeth cleaned during your regular check-up, your dentist will also examine you for other health issues. One thing he/she will look for is signs of oral cancer, which is vitally important to be identified during its early stages. Your dentist will also check your neck, lymph nodes, and head to look for any abnormalities. This also helps identify cancers and other diseases in their early stages.

⦁ Lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes:

Making a simple visit to the dentist improves not only your oral health, but also your overall health. Studies have proven that if you take care of your oral health you have a lower chance of developing serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes.

⦁ Prevent high dental bills in the future:

Through visiting the dentist often, your dentist can detect tooth decay and gum disease in its beginning stages, so you can avoid intensive, expensive dental work later on.

If you are in need of a dental check-up, we are here for you. Contact the friendly, helpful staff at Zen Orthodontic & Dental Care today and set-up your appointment.