It’s common knowledge that good oral hygiene is essential. One of the best ways of maintaining a healthy mouth is by scheduling regular dental checkups. Absolute Smile in Philadelphia recommends seeing your dental professional twice a year. Think of it as preventative maintenance that can save you time, money, and discomfort in the future.
The Benefits of Regular Dental Checkups
You think you do a pretty good job with brushing and flossing. However, there are hard-to-reach places, like your back molars, where plaque and tartar can hide. It’s one of the areas a dentist examines for decay on your first visit and every visit thereafter.
Coming in for an exam is one way to avert gum disease. Many people don’t even recognize the early stages during which their gums start developing gingivitis. Our professionals have the training and the skills to spot tell-tale signs and nip the issue before it becomes something major. Between getting a dental cleaning and improving your oral hygiene habits, early gum disease can go away.
Besides looking for gum issues and tooth decay, giving the best possible care to our patients means checking for oral cancer. If it goes undetected, oral cancer can become life-threatening. So your practitioner looks into your mouth with a special light for any dead tissue, so they can catch any tumors before they develop further.
Did you know your regular dental checkup can detect other health issues? An exam includes a review of the head, neck, tongue, and jaws for lumps or swelling. Should they find anything, they will forward the information to your primary physician.
Of course, those regular visits may uncover cavities that need treating, preferably before they cause you pain.
What to Expect at a Dental Visit
When you go in for a visit, you’ll have an examination that includes checking for:
- Plaque
- Tartar
- Cavities
Your gums will be measured for the depth between your teeth. The shallower the space, the healthier your teeth!
Next comes cleaning, also called scaling, to remove plaque and tartar and remove surface stains from your teeth.
If you have questions about getting a cleaning or other services, including what’s covered by your insurance, feel free to fill out our online form. We’ll get back to you quickly with answers.
Keep it Up at Home
Seeing your dentist for regular checkups is important, but your oral hygiene doesn’t end when you walk out the office door. You need to maintain your teeth properly at home. It’s not overly complicated or time-consuming.
- Floss your teeth once daily
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily after flossing
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- 30 minutes after you brush, swish with anti-bacterial mouthwash (also with fluoride)
Since you’re in front of the mirror, give your gums and tongue a good look-over. If you see any sores or your gums are bleeding, call one of our three Philadelphia offices for a consultation. Our professionals will try and answer your concerns on the phone or recommend you come in so we can see the problem. Don’t dismiss what your own eyes are telling you.
