Why having regular dental check ups are important We all know that our dentist recommends having a dental check up every six months, but very few of us stick to that schedule. Perhaps it’s the fear of what might be discovered, or perhaps it’s more to do with the belief that “if it isn’t broken, it doesn’t need fixing”.
Most of us would prefer to only go to the dentist when there is a problem,
but the fact of the matter is if you had regular check ups, then potential problems could be spotted earlier, which could entirely remove the need for treatment in the first place.
What does a dental check up entail?
Having a check up is a pretty straight forward process. Firstly your dentist will look at your head and neck, examining you jaw joints and lymph nodes.
This examination can highlight any potential health problems that you may not yet be aware of.
Secondly, your dentist or hygienist will look at your mouth. This will include looking at the teeth themselves, seeing if any are missing or loose, looking
at the health of your gums and checking for signs of gum disease. This is important as gum disease, if left untreated can cause serious problems, including the loss of teeth. At this time your dentist can also look for signs of conditions such as oral cancer which you may not have spotted, and which your GP would not
necessarily be aware of. Any dental appliances you have fitted can also be checked for suitably. Finally, you will be given the opportunity to have your teeth cleaned and polished.
This is more than just an additional service, but provides an
opportunity to offer more protection to your teeth and gums. If plaque and tartar is allowed to build up then this can cause serious problems to the
health of your mouth, even over short periods. In turn this can lead to the need for treatment, which everyone would hope to avoid.
Seeing your dentist regularly will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your oral health, and seek reassurance that you are performing flossing and brushing duties properly and effectively. Dentists can provide advice on which toothpaste to use, and the best techniques to use to ensure that you are maintaining good care of your gums, teeth and general oral health.
It is important to have a good relationship with your dentist as understanding what they are there to do, and how they can help, will alleviate any fear or apprehension you may have about the process. This is especially true in the case of children who should be encouraged to have routine dental check ups from a young age to familiarise themselves with the dental surgery and process.
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