In light of the ongoing pandemic, we now understand how vital it is to maintain our mental and physical health. However, our oral health factors in our well-being, as well. Many people dread going to the dentist and often put off their dental checkups until the last minute, and while dentists can fix many major oral conditions, prevention is always better than cure. Treatments can be very expensive if developing issues aren’t detected early on. Therefore, frequent visits can help you in more ways than one.
To Prevent or Cure Cavities
Regular teeth cleaning is vital for healthy-looking teeth, and after your cleaning session, your dentist will offer you expert advice on how to keep your teeth in good condition at home. With a thorough cleaning, dentists will remove plaque and tartar buildup, which can cause cavities if neglected. Dentists resolve these issues before they occur and suggest the right daily treatment and maintenance to prevent cavities in the first place. Putting off regular teeth cleaning will only result in bigger problems that compromise your oral health. In fact, many serious problems that can be detrimental could be prevented by frequent teeth cleaning.
To Get Proper Treatment
An x-ray allows a dentist to discover issues that are invisible to the naked eye. This ensures that you get proper treatment for any developing problems early on. Without regular inspection and treatment, you can become susceptible to infections, particularly those caused by problems such as impacted wisdom teeth. A dentist will inform you of what problems need immediate attention and which ones aren’t urgent, giving you a chance to avoid bigger problems down the road and prepare your finances in advance.
As important as they are, dental checkups can be quite costly. As a result, many people don’t get the treatment they need; instead, they opt for affordable services that may not be as good. However, as the Riccarton, Christchurch-based dentists from Boutique Dental explain, no one should compromise quality for affordability, nor do they have to. Finding an affordable, yet advanced clinic is possible, and you can get a comprehensive exam, treatments, and consultations without breaking the bank if you take the time to compare the options available in your area.
To Detect Gum Disease
Early detection of gum disease is possible with frequent dentist visits. Gum disease takes time to progress, which is why it may be dangerous if left undetected; once you start showing symptoms, the damage could already be too severe. This can result in excess tartar and plaque buildup and possibly, gum tissue bleeding if the disease progresses further. If left untreated, gum disease will eventually spread to your jaw and compromise your overall oral health. Regular dentist visits not only prevent gum disease, but they can also cure the disease before the symptoms affect your overall health.
To Detect Oral Cancer
Similarly, early detection of oral cancer is only possible through frequent dental checkups. Those who drink excessively or smoke are at risk of getting oral cancer; however, there’s no way to determine that you won’t be prone to the disease if you are not a heavy smoker or drinker, so it’s best to get regular checkups, even if you live a healthy lifestyle. There is no way to identify the symptoms without an exam; therefore, the only way to prevent oral cancer is for a dentist to treat it in the early stages of development.
To Discover Any Medical Conditions
Regular checkups can help dentists discover any medical conditions early on. Sleep apnea, for example, is a disorder characterized by heavy snoring and can cause breathing interruptions. Sleep apnea becomes dangerous without treatment. Since dentists check your overall health, particularly the areas surrounding your teeth that can impact or be impacted by your oral health, they will inspect your neck, head, and lymph nodes. Therefore, they can check for swelling and other concerns before they escalate, which will help you identify potentially serious conditions such as sleep apnea.
To Save Money
As mentioned above, dental treatment can be costly. However, ignoring problems until after they have escalated can result in even larger fees that may be impossible to pay, not to mention the health risks involved. By getting regular dental checkups, you will be saving money in the long run by eliminating the need for costly treatments of serious medical conditions in the future.
To maintain good oral hygiene and protect your teeth, gums, bones, and overall health, you must visit your dentist every 6 months unless advised otherwise. Discovering and preventing serious conditions and getting proper treatment before it’s too late is the best solution. Furthermore, it saves you money down the road. So, even if it feels like a nuisance to you, never underestimate the importance of taking care of your teeth and making those dentist appointments. Check out this dentist in Irvine now to get started.