Should we go to a dentist for a check-up? Why do we need to check our teeth? Is that necessary for us? Most of us know that a regular visit to the dentist is essential to have a healthy mouth.
So, how often should you go to the dentist for a check-up? The general rule is that dental check-ups should happen twice a year – every six months. However, how often you should visit the dentist can also be influenced by several factors.
TABLE CONTENT
- When should we go to the dentist?
- How often should I get a dental check-up?
- The importance of dental check-ups
How often should you go to the dentist?
It’s a standard recommendation throughout the dental profession that children and adults visit a dentist every six months for a cleaning and oral exam. Many dental insurance companies cover two check-ups per year, and this frequency allows dental professionals to catch any dental issues early and inexpensively to treat.
If you want to be sure about how often you need a dental check-up, you should consider your dental hygiene, habits, and overall well-being.
When should you go to the dentist?
When should a dental visit become a priority? The most obvious reason for a dental visit is a toothache. Even worse, some avoid a trip to the dentist unless the pain is severe. However, there are many other situations when you should go see the dentist.
Even if you’re someone that diligently brushes and flosses their teeth twice a day, you still need to go and see your dentist. Your dentist and dental hygienist are trained to check for problems you may not be aware of independently. Various oral concerns, like cavities and gum disease, may not even be noticeable. Common causes of tooth pain are cavities/decay, a crack or fracture, failing fillings or restorations, inflamed gums, or teeth grinding.
Regular dental check-ups are crucial to ensure that your teeth are healthy. You should consider visiting your dentist if you’re experiencing tooth pain, discomfort, or strange sensations.
Here are some other instances in which you should go and see your dentist as soon as possible:
- Broken or chipped teeth
Your teeth might be more sensitive when it’s broken or chipped. A chip could change how your teeth come together; therefore, the way you talk, bite and chew might be affected. Your dentist may repair the chipped piece of tooth enamel with a filling.
- Bleeding or swollen gums
Several factors, such as your brushing and flossing technique, smoking, medication, nutrition or gum disease, can influence the state of your gums. If you experience gum bleeding continuously over a long period, please make an appointment with Eastman Dental. Our dentists can help identify and ease the issues you have.
- Sudden sensitivity
Teeth become hypersensitive when the protective layer of your tooth (the enamel) becomes revealed or worn down, exposing the tooth’s internal nerves to the foods you eat.
- Missing teeth
Losing a tooth can be a painful experience. Our teeth get older as we age, and they can become loose, worn down, or fall out. A dentist can often replace a missing tooth, depending on the case and cause of tooth loss.
- Jaw pain and constant headaches
If you’ve never been diagnosed but experience symptoms like constant jaw pain, migraines and tension headaches, consider seeing a dentist specializing in treating TMJ. The signs indicate a condition about the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or surrounding facial muscles.
- Teeth grinding
The medical term for teeth grinding is bruxism. Teeth grinding occurs during sleep and leaves you waking up with a sore or stiff jaw. Severe bruxism, left untreated, can damage teeth and induce other oral health complications. Your dentist can examine your mouth and jaw for signs of teeth grinding, like jaw tenderness and excessive wear on your teeth.
- During pregnancy
Your hormones fluctuate more when you are pregnant. The fluctuation can make you more susceptible to bleeding gums and plaque build-up. Your dentist can assist your oral hygiene in ensuring your oral health is at its best.
The importance of dental check-ups
Everyone should go for dental check-ups. These routine visits allow your dentist to find any dental problems and other oral health issues you might not have noticed.
Sticking to your regular dental check-ups and cleanings is all about preventative care. Treating oral problems during their early stages is less costly and requires less time in the dentist’s chair than only seeing a dentist when you’re in pain.
Your dentist can also determine if you’re doing an excellent job with your at-home oral care hygiene or if you need to change your routine. Your oral health can affect your overall health, so seeing your dentist should be as natural as seeing your primary care doctor for check-ups.
What can a visit to the dentist do for you? A dentist will:
- recommend the toothbrush, toothpaste, and other oral products best for your teeth.
- discuss your current oral health and dental history to recommend the appropriate number of dental appointments you should make each year.
- evaluate your risk for any possible dental disease. If you are at risk, we can recommend any changes you can make to lower it.
Here are some benefits of maintaining good dental health:
- Can help save your confident smile by catching tooth decay or gum disease early.
- Good breath
- By catching issues early, we can help protect your overall health.
- Prevents cavities and other serious diseases
- Lower health care costs
- Safer pregnancy
Conclusion
Now that you know how often you should visit the dentist, are you overdue for a check-up? Planning regular dental check-ups can prevent the need for dental treatments.
Here at Eastman Dental, we want to help you maintain your oral health. Adults need to place more importance on keeping their 6-month teeth cleaning appointments. Each check-up involves so much more than just teeth cleaning. When you take care of your teeth, you’re not only preventing cavities but also protecting your overall health.
Refference:
https://fermeliadental.com/how-often-should-you-go-to-the-dentist/
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/dental-checkup-every-6-months