Visiting your dentist at least twice a year is extremely important to your oral health. A couple of quick visits to check in typically end up being a lot less costly than going in only when you have an emergency. The point behind routine visits is preventative care. The dentist can identify developing issues and correct them before they turn into major issues. If it’s been a while since your last dental visit, you really should consider scheduling an appointment.

And your teeth aren’t the only thing the dentist is looking after. They are also checking up on your gum health, which can easily be affected by poor brushing and flossing habits. Gingivitis is a serious concern, so dentists are always on the lookout to ensure gums are healthy and being cared for properly.

Routine dentist visits generally accomplish two purposes; a check up and cleaning. Generally the first part of the visit will be the check up. Of course the dentist is going to be looking for any signs of decay (cavities) in the teeth, but that’s not all. As we said, they’ll be inspecting the gums to make sure they’re healthy and possibly reviewing your bite for any signs of TMJ. They’ll also look for plaque or tartar build ups and remove it, since it cannot be taken off with normal brushing and flossing. Plaque build ups can lead to various oral diseases. Many dental check ups will also include reviews of your tongue, neck, head, and face for signs of swelling or cancer.

The next phase of the dental appointment is the cleaning – brushing and flossing at home are extremely important, but they don’t take are of everything. The dentist has special tools for cleaning that do a more thorough job than you can do at home. It’s during this time they’ll remove any plaque or tartar that they spotted during the initial check up. Many dentists will also polish the teeth, removing any surface stains and helping them appear brighter and whiter.

Routine visits to the dentist provide valuable preventative care. Developing issues can be spotted and addressed immediately and teeth and gums will be more healthy and easier to care for. Many people are concerned with visiting the dentist because they haven’t been in so long, but it’s even more important for them to go. There is no sense in delaying it further. Visiting a dentist will start you on the right path towards fantastic oral health.

If you need a new dentist because you haven’t been in so long, reach out to Cairn Dental. [link to contact or schedule] We love bringing on new patients and were excited for the chance to help.