The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups

Regular dental checkups ensure that your teeth stay healthy and cavity free. Visiting your dentist can also make sure you have a bright, beautiful smile while saving you some serious cash in the long run.

Not everybody visits the dentist as much as they should though. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of regular dental checkups and how often you should be scheduling your visits. Proper dental hygiene isn’t something that should be put on the backburner.

Cavity Prevention

Cavities can destroy your smile and make eating and drinking a painful, uncomfortable affair. While you might notice a large cavity when you bite down or when giving yourself a visual examination of your teeth, small cavities often aren’t visible to the naked, untrained eye. In fact, small cavities commonly can’t be seen by your dentist without vision enhancement tools.

The problem is that small cavities are much easier to treat and are less likely to cause problems down the road. Very large fillings can fail over time, putting the structure of the tooth at greater risk.

Many large cavities also lead to infection or require treatment like a root canal, crown, or onlay. For the patient, much more time spent at the dentist’s office is the result of not taking care of cavities before they become a big problem.

Regular Cleaning

Taking care of your teeth at home with dental floss and a toothbrush is incredibly important. No dentist is going to discount how home maintenance is one of the biggest aspects of ensuring your overall dental health. The fact is that you can’t clean your teeth quite the same way your dentist can.

When you visit your dentist for regular checkups, they’ll clean your teeth and remove plaque that can damage your enamel, causing cavities and serious problems. A build-up of plaque on your teeth can also end up below your gum line, leading to problems like gingivitis and periodontal disease that can be hard to correct.

Home Maintenance Correction

The days of your dentist telling you that you’re responsible for your bad teeth are over. Today, dentists recognize that teaching patients how to better take care of their teeth without reprimanding them is the ideal choice.

When you visit your dentist, he or she will be able to give you pointers on how to better manage home maintenance. From switching toothbrushes to the correct flossing procedure, your dentist is an expert with expert advice to pass on.

Your dentist will also be able to advise you on how to handle any dental or gum issues you may have when you’re at home. Better home care leads to healthier teeth and less work you need to get done during your dental checkups.

Reduced Cost

Regular dental checkups help patients to prevent serious problems with their teeth and that minor problems are corrected quickly. For the patient, that means a reduced overall cost for dental services each year. After all, checkups cost much less than root canals, crowns, and implants.

Make your next appointment for a dental checkup today and find out how our expert team at Manuel Stefan Dental Care can help give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of.