Why Your Dentist Recommends Regular Dental Checkups

We all know it’s important to brush your teeth and floss twice a day, but it is also very important for your oral health to have regular dental checkups. Maybe you haven’t seen the dentist because you are new to the area, have a new insurance provider, or have just been busy with life. 

No matter what the reason is, if you haven’t seen the dentist in a while, give Dr. Robinson’s office a call today to schedule an appointment.

Why are regular checkups important?

Regular dental checkups are an important part of keeping up with your oral health. Regular dental checkups can:

• Prevent cavities.
• Prevent tooth loss.
• Boost overall health.
• Keep your breath smelling fresh.
• Save you money (in the long run).

Having regular dental checkups at Dr. Robinson’s office can help prevent a number of oral health issues, like cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss. During a regular checkup, the dentist examines your teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy and that there are no issues. If the dentist finds an issue or has a concern, it can be addressed right away. 

Keeping your teeth and mouth healthy and clean can also keep the rest of your body healthy, too. Bad oral hygiene can cause bacteria to build up in your mouth, causing halitosis (bad breath). 

Other health issues have been related to bad dental health, like cardiovascular disease, endocarditis, which affects the inner lining and chambers of the heart, and even pneumonia. Pregnant women with poor oral health habits can also experience health issues that could be harmful to their unborn babies.

Another reason why regular dental checkups are important is because they could save you money in the long run. If an issue is caught during a routine checkup and treated early, it could save you time, money, and most importantly, it could save you from pain.

What to Expect During a Dental Checkup

During a routine dental checkup, you can expect to be seen by a dental hygienist, and then the dentist.

A dental hygienist will start your dental evaluation with X-rays, which the dentist will review. The dental hygienist will then perform an oral exam of your mouth, including the gums, and note any issues they find. The dental hygienist will then clean your teeth using specialized dental tools that scrape off plaque and tartar from the surface of the tooth, and they will follow that up with a cleaning and polishing of your teeth. The hygienist will then floss your teeth. During this time, if you have any questions about better technique for brushing or flossing, your hygienist will be glad to offer some tips, and even show you how it is done.

After the hygienist is done, it is now time for the dentist to come in and perform a dental evaluation. The dentist will do a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. The dentist will also examine your neck and throat for any abnormalities. Another thing your dentist will check is your jaw and bite to see how your teeth are aligned. Finally, the dentist will then check out any issues they may have seen on the X-rays that were taken earlier. If there are issues, your dentist will discuss them with you and come up with a course of action to make sure your teeth are in tip-top shape!

Add in Some Fluoride

Even if you are brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing twice a day, your dentist might still recommend you use a mouthwash with fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that can help strengthen the enamel of the teeth. Many dentists recommend using a toothpaste and mouthwash fortified with fluoride because of the extra protection it gives.

Don’t Wait

Some people may think that they only need to see the dentist if they are experiencing tooth pain. If you are experiencing any kind of tooth or gum pain, you should see the dentist immediately. There is no reason for you to wait! But a routine dental checkup can help prevent tooth issues, and help you maintain excellent oral health. 
If you have any questions about what to expect during a dental examination, please reach out to Dr. Robinson’s office. His team is more than happy to answer any and all questions you may have about your dental health and will be happy to schedule an appointment right away if you are in need of dental checkup.