Reasons a Dental Check-Up Is Important for Early Prevention

A dental check-up is an important preventative measure for keeping your oral health in good standing, and you should have one done by your dentist every six months. If you regularly get check-ups, you are less likely to deal with a severe dental issue that would require invasive treatment. After all, your dentist can identify issues early and get you on the right treatment plan right away. Plus, it's always beneficial to have a professional cleaning of your teeth to ensure that your gums and teeth remain healthy for as long as possible. 

This article will outline why a dental check-up is important for the early prevention of oral health issues. It's critical that you follow the guidance and advice of your dentist so that your smile remains healthy for years to come. 

What dental check-ups prevent

Prevention is one of the best advantages of a check-up. Proper cleaning and early detection are among the top benefits of scheduling this visit with your dentist.It may not be easy to clean the hard-to-reach areas in your mouth correctly. For example, your back molars are notoriously hard to clean. For this reason, you should visit your dentist every six months.

During a check-up, your dentist will examine your teeth, looking for early signs of tooth decay. If your dentist finds any small cavities or white spots on your teeth, they will begin giving you a fluoride treatment to reverse tooth decay and treat larger cavities with dental fillings.

The next step is for your dentist to perform a professional tooth cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. This protects your teeth and gums from being attacked by harmful bacteria that live in plaque and tartar.

The entire visit is done fairly quickly, and you'll have peace of mind in knowing the status of your oral health. 

Routine dental visits keep gum disease at bay

Regular dental visits can certainly help keep the oral disease from getting worse. For the most part, there are no symptoms during the early stages of gum disease. This makes it difficult for you to spot gum disease on your own. But dentists are trained to spot harmful bacteria in your gums, even when it tries to hide.

During a check-up, your dentist will check to make sure that your gums are firm. They will also look for swelling, receding gums, and deep gum pockets. If your dentist finds any of these symptoms, they will be able to treat the underlying cause.

Early gum disease will usually go away when you improve your brushing and flossing habits, and your dentist will be happy to guide you on how to take proper care of your gums.

Dentists use routine check-ups to screen for oral cancer

In addition to examining teeth and gums, the dentist will also look for signs of oral cancer in your mouth. When oral cancer goes untreated, it can develop into a life-threatening illness, but it is highly treatable if it is caught early.

Your dentist will use a special light to look for dead tissue that indicates a tumor. This exam is known as a VELscope cancer exam. This procedure is painless and takes just a minute or two to do.

 

If you see the dentist every six months, this means getting an oral cancer screening every six months, and you will be unlikely to develop late-stage oral cancer.

Routine check-ups can detect systemic health issues

Your dentist will also perform a head and neck exam during your check-up. Your dentist will check your lymph nodes, neck, and jaws for things such as swelling, lumps, deformities, and any other symptoms of potential illness. If your dentist finds a problem, they will refer you to a specialist or other appropriate medical professional.

If you get regular check-ups, your mouth will stay healthy, and your teeth will serve you for years to come, possibly even for your entire life.

Reach out to your dentist for a check-up

If you've been putting off your annual dental exam, it's time to make room for it in your schedule. You'll be glad that you took this time to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and strong. This simple and effective visit can help ensure that you don't have any major dental issues, and your dentist can also give you a quality clean. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today to get the check-up that you need for good dental care. 

Request an appointment here: https://atlantapamperedsmiles.com or call Pampered Smiles at (404) 891-9489 for an appointment in our Atlanta office.

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