A common misconception people have about going to dental checkups is that you don’t have to go unless there is an evident problem (tooth decay, tooth ache, tooth trauma, etc.). This is not true.
Preventive Dental Care is Extremely Important
A lot of people ask, “Are regular dental checkups really necessary?”
The answer to that would be a resounding “Yes!”
Preventive care like routine teeth cleanings and dental checkups actually save you a lot of money in the long run. Dentists perform a lot of routine maintenance to prevent problems that could happen if you do nothing. Brushing your teeth twice a day isn’t enough to ensure plaque doesn’t form on your tooth enamel causing tooth decay.
Ideally, you should have dental checkups and teeth cleanings twice a year, more if your dentist requires it.
Why are regular dental checkups important?
There are so many benefits you receive from preventive dental care but we are going to give you the top three biggest concerns that might be a potential problem in the future if you don’t go to your dentist regularly:
PERIODONTAL DISEASE
The body naturally builds up plaque and if it's not removed it embeds underneath the gum tissues and quietly causes periodontal disease. It doesn't hurt but it silently produces enzymes that dissolve away the bones. This can be prevented with regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings.
TOOTH DECAY
A little cavity can be taken care of. A big cavity becomes a compound problem. In its biggest stage, it can cause pain and swelling and even the loss of a tooth. We don't want to lose teeth because that's the main way of chewing food and our main support system. Cavities have a domino effect if not taken care of right away.
GUM DISEASE IS STRONGLY LINKED WITH HEART DISEASE
There's a strong correlation between gum disease and heart disease. You can read about how our mouths affect our hearts. Plaque on the teeth produces billions of bacteria that end up in the blood stream. While bacteria normally exists in the mouth, gum disease increases that level so dramatically increased that it gets carried through the blood and can end up lodged in the heart and clog blood vessels.
By performing routine examinations, your dentist prevents many larger future dental problems. Case studies have shown that in the long-run people who visit their dentist on a regular basis spend less than those who wait for something to first happen. The money you spend on regular cleanings will still be less than the expense you will make on a major dental surgery. For example, getting your teeth cleaned twice a year and having small cavities filled is less costly than waiting for a tooth ache to come along, which may require a more extensive procedure.
Regular Dental Checkups Can Save Your Life
Regular dental checkups not only preserve your smile, they can also save your life. Every year, around 300,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed around the world. While oral cancer is curable when found and treated in its early stages, the disease symptoms often go unnoticed. Small bumps, spots, or ulcers on the inside of your cheeks, lips, or throat are a common indicator of early oral cancer. However, because these symptoms are often painless and not seen, you may not even know you have a problem. A dentist will check for these early warning symptoms and alert you should any sign of cancer be found.
In summary, if you ask “Are regular dental checkups really necessary?”
The answer is: If you want to preserve healthy teeth and gums, as well as a healthy mouth, regular dental checkups are absolutely necessary.
At Indianapolis Dentistry we care so much about preventative care that we have shaped our 5-year warranty program around keeping regular cleaning appointments. As long as you continue to keep your oral hygiene visits every 6-months you can be eligible for free replacement or repair of Dr. Reese’s dental work within the previous 5-years. And if you’ve already had dental treatment, existing patients can be grandfathered into this program.
Start 2014 with a clean smile. Call 317-882-0228 to schedule your appointment today!