26 Nov 2021
The mouth is the gateway to our health and wellbeing acting in the form of food intake and teeth are the most important tools it uses to grind the solid ones before they are sent to the intestine making them easier to digest.
Hence maintaining healthy oral health is of paramount importance and no one is better placed to help us upkeep our oral health than the dentist.
While many people believe that visiting the dentist twice a year is a good rule of thumb, the fact of the matter is that you have your own distinct smile requirements. As a result, it is dependent on your oral hygiene, habits, and personal medical conditions.
Therefore they should be the first port of call when it comes to concerns related to our teeth and mouth. Now the million-dollar question is when to visit.
The answer lies in the well-known fact that prevention is invariably better than cure and there is a slew of more reasons why it is essential to pay regular visits to a dental care provider for routine check-ups.
As per American Dental Association, the dentists’ recommended frequency of dental visits depends on the age of the person. Early care from the very childhood is essential as during this age children cannot take the proper tooth and gum care in the form of brushing, rinsing of the mouth without parents’ help.
Children right from the appearance of the first tooth are advised to go for twice a year visits to help the dentist examine and advice on early care measures. This also helps the child become comfortable and familiar with the dentist for future appointments.
For children of older age and adults the recommended frequency is at least thrice a year because, from adolescence chances of developing caries, plaques, tartars, gingivitis, and other dental issues keep increasing and become complex.
For orthodontists and other specialized cares the recommended frequency of visits may be between every six to eight weeks.
Which people should go to a dentist often?
Some people require more than twice-yearly visits to the dentist. But who are they? Well, they are those who are at a higher risk of developing dental disease and other health problems. They might need to visit the dentist every three months in a year or more.
This greater-risk group consists of:
- Women who are pregnant. The fluctuating hormones of pregnancy can put expecting mothers at a higher risk of developing gum disease and cavities.
- People who are diabetic. Diabetes can be a cause of gum and other oral health problems.
- For those who smoke, Tobacco use can cause gum disease and make it more difficult for your body to recover after dental procedures and oral surgery and that’s why they must go to dentists often for better health security
- People suffering from gum disease
- People with a compromised immune system
- People who are vulnerable to tooth decay or plaque build-up
- Those who are heart patients. When it comes to preventing heart disease, oral health is important because bacteria in the mouth can enter the heart. Since dental health is directly proportional to cardial health, thus going to a dentist often is very very important. Dental cleanings and check-ups on a regular basis may reduce your risk of getting heart disease.
- Those who are cancer patients. Some cancer medications can cause dry mouth, putting patients at a higher risk for oral health problems.
Children should never be ignored
If you have children, taking them to the dentist on a regular basis is vital for them to realize the significance of good dental hygiene.
Their first appointment should take place within 6 months of the appearance of their first tooth.
Regular dental visits will familiarise them with dental tools in addition to ensuring that their teeth are developing normally and that no problems arise.
The more at ease they are from an early age, the more likely it is that they will keep good dental habits in later life.
Benefits of regular dental check-ups:
Outlined below are a few important reasons why one must go to a dentist on a regular basis.
- Dentists carry out routine check-ups to examine the development of oral cancer.
The first and foremost check a dental caregiver performs is to ensure the patient has good oral health. Removing the possibility of any cancerous growth in the oral cavity is the most crucial, to begin with.
- Routine dental check-ups prevent tooth decay, caries, fissures, plaque, tartar, cavities, etc.
Cleaning the places of the mouth, difficult to reach, is seldom possible even for the most fastidious individuals. Especially the molars are the culprits which prevent us from brushing to keep them clean and safe.
Regular dental visits for preventive oral care allow the dentist to examine any onset of tooth decay and carry out fluoride treatment if required.
They use fillings in the case of developed caries. Plaques and tartars are also cleaned and removed from teeth and gums if they have formed or progressed.
This process will help protect the teeth and gums from harmful bacteria attacks which usually reside in plaques and tartars resulting in the gradual destruction of a healthy set of teeth.
- Going to a dentist often can help in avoiding gum diseases in totality.
The natural human tendency is to go for treatment for any disease when it becomes an emergency. However, like other ailments tooth and gum diseases usually do not present symptoms in their early stages making them all the more difficult to detect and feel.
However, an expert dental professional can detect even the most clandestine spots with careful examination and easily find any swelling, receding gums, their firmness, deep pockets in gums, etc.
They will treat the underlying causes if they detect any such symptoms and advise on ways to improve oral habits and address the issues.
This is how periodic check-ups not only help keep the gum diseases at bay and maintain a healthy mouth but also avoid blows to the wallet for treating serious gum diseases needing deep cleaning, surgery, and expensive medication.
- Regular dental visits help avoid premature teeth loss:
Routine periodic appointments with a dentist will help one to protect the teeth besides preventing tooth decay and other issues that might lead to unwanted teeth loss. Regular dental visits will ensure avoidable dental emergencies including painful surgeries.
This will facilitate one to retain that precious beautiful smile one always desired for a long period of time in life and of course a clean good breathe providing the all-important confidence during social interactions.
Reluctant to visit your dentist frequently? Here’s what you can do.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is the most important thing you can do to keep your dental visits to a least.
Brush your teeth twice a day and clean between your teeth once a day with floss, interdental brushes, or an oral irrigator.
And imagine what else? If your dentist doesn’t find out any cavities or signs of gingivitis for a few years, he or she may even increase the period between visits.
Perhaps now you understand that the frequency with which you should visit the dentist is determined by your specific smile situation. Some people, such as smokers and diabetics, may experience it more frequently.
However, going to the dentist is a precautionary measure that strengthens your overall health and makes things simple for you in the long term.
If you practice good oral hygiene on a daily basis, your dentist may be able to reduce the number of dental appointments you need.
Remember to always listen to your dentist’s advice when scheduling your succeeding meeting.
And, if it’s been a bit late, it’s time to answer that text, phone call, or email from your dentist’s office regarding your 6-month dental check-up.
Final Words
Prevention is the mantra of modern dentistry. This can be done by fixing regular appointments with a trained dental practitioner and following his guidance for comprehensive oral health.
Obtaining a check-up when your health changes or you’ve been identified with a disease is a good way to find out if there will be any consequences for your teeth. Dentists can provide sound advice and recommend appropriate oral treatments.
Exams should be taken on a regular basis for a variety of reasons. They examine your teeth for health, clean them, and address any issues you may have overlooked.
Visits to the dentist were made 50 years ago to correct any issues that had already occurred. People in the present day are far more educated and understand the significance of maintaining good dental hygiene. Problems can be addressed before they cause pain or problems.