Getting regular visits to your dentist is an essential part of maintaining great oral health. Your dental professionals will check for problems that you might not see or feel yourself, such as cavities between your teeth, gum disease, and impacted wisdom teeth.
These issues can become more serious and painful if left untreated, so it’s important to get checked out by a professional. Early detection of conditions like tooth decay and gum disease can save you money and discomfort down the road.
Prevents Tooth Decay
If you have good oral hygiene habits and visit your dentist for regular checkups, you are less likely to develop tooth decay. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and flossing daily help to keep your mouth clean.
Visiting your dentist for regular cleanings also helps prevent plaque from building up on your teeth and forming a hard layer of bacteria called tartar. Tartar cannot be removed with brushing and requires special tools to remove it.
Foods that cling to your teeth for a long time, such as milk, honey, sugary sodas, dried fruit, candy and mints, dry cereal, chips and crackers, increase the risk of decay. Snacking or sipping frequently gives the bacteria in your mouth even more fuel to produce acids that wear down your teeth.
Prevents Gum Disease
Regular visits to the dentist prevent gum disease by providing a deep cleaning to remove bacterial plaque and calculus (tartar) from underneath your gum line. This treatment can help to stop the progression of gingivitis and periodontitis and may even reverse the problem if diagnosed early.
The first stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, is a mild form that can be treated easily with a dental cleaning and daily brushing. In most cases, this problem can be reversed by a combination of regular dental checkups and oral hygiene.
More severe forms of gum disease, such as periodontitis, require a visit to a specialist who can treat the infection. The doctor will then help you develop a plan for home care and follow-up treatments to ensure the condition doesn’t worsen.
Prevents Bad Breath
If you’re trying to eliminate bad breath, it might be helpful to know that a visit to the dentist can help solve your problem. Dentists can remove odor-causing bacteria and plaque, which can lead to fresher breath.
They can also diagnose and treat any underlying oral health problems that may be contributing to your breath odors, such as gum disease or other dental conditions.
Other odor-causing factors include smoking, drinking alcohol, or eating certain foods such as onions, garlic, and coffee. Avoiding these odor-causing foods and drinks can significantly decrease or even completely eliminate bad breath.
Prevents Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a serious, sometimes deadly condition. Regular visits to the dentist can help prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Every time you go to the dentist, they will check your mouth for signs of oral cancer. These include loose teeth, sores that won’t heal, red or white patches, lumps and growths.
If they find any suspicious tissue, the dentist may refer you to an oral cancer specialist who can perform tests that will determine if it is malignant or benign.
Some risk factors for oral cancer include tobacco use, HPV infection (the human papillomavirus), age and sun exposure. It is also important to avoid excessive alcohol use and eat a healthy diet.
Prevents Bad Smile
One of the benefits of regular visits to your dentist is that it can prevent a bad smile. A smile that is not properly cared for can be a sign of oral health issues and affect your confidence.
It can also make you uncomfortable in social situations. If you don’t have a great smile, people will be less likely to want to get close to you.
A smile that is unattractive can also impact your self-esteem and lead to poor behavior. For example, many people will cover their mouth with a hand when they smile because they are embarrassed by their teeth.
A bad smile can be treatable with a variety of cosmetic dentistry treatments, including orthodontics to correct misalignments and fix issues like broken, stained, or chipped teeth. These treatments can significantly improve a person’s confidence and boost their social life.