Regular Dental Check Ups: Why Are They Important?

No matter how certain you are that your teeth are in good shape, a regular dental check up is important for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. Regular dental examination is the best possible care you can give your teeth. This way you can detect cavities and other related issues and treat them in time. Treating dental problems early can prevent root canal therapy and even tooth extraction.

What happens during a regular dental check up?

Checking your teeth for tooth decay is the simplest part of a thorough dental examination. During your dental check up, your dentist will evaluate the overall condition of your mouth, including the health condition of your gums, perform a head and neck examination to see if there is anything out of the common, and even examine your mouth for any signs of oral cancer, diabetes or vitamin deficiencies. After the examination your dentist will clean your teeth and talk with you about the importance of maintaining a good oral hygiene at home between the visits.

A clinical dental examination usually consists of:

• Examining the gums;
• Checking for loose teeth;
• Looking for signs of gum disease;
• Examining your tongue;
• Checking your bite;
• Looking for tooth decay;
• Looking at the tissues inside of your mouth;
• Checking for broken teeth;
• Checking for damaged fillings;
• Checking the contact between your teeth;
• Taking x-rays.

Because plaque and tartar tend to build up very fast, if a good oral hygiene is not performed between the visits, your dentist may have to pay special attention to these. Tobacco, beverages and food are known to stain teeth. If not removed, they can harden on the teeth causing an irritation on the gum tissue and if not treated it can even lead to gum disease.

A dental check up is recommended at least once, but ideally twice a year to get your teeth checked and cleaned. Once your examination and cleaning is done, your dentist will talk to you about your oral health and make any additional recommendations.

Remember, regular dental check up and good daily oral hygiene practices at home can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy.