Why is visiting the dentist important

But here's why you need to visit the dentist. I chose to pursue a career in dental hygiene because I realized that I could truly make a difference and help people lead healthier lives. Many people do not understand the importance of proper dental care. In addition to cleaning teeth and performing dental exams, dental hygienists educate their patients about the benefits of preventive dental care and how to maintain good oral health.

Oral health is an important indicator of overall health and visiting the dentist should be a part of your healthcare routine. Plaque is a tacky deposit that adheres to the teeth and gingiva line your gums and is filled with damaging bacteria. Plaque build-up can be caused by the lack of a regular oral hygiene routine. Once plaque builds on the teeth , tartar becomes an issue and it may cause discoloration of the teeth. Tooth decay affects the external layer of the teeth and is usually caused by the consumption of sugary foods.

Tooth decay can exacerbate as plaque builds up and can gradually ruin the teeth. Regular cleanings prevent decay from progressing and destroying the teeth. Left untreated, tooth decay can cause aching, dental caries and can aggravate the gums. Visiting the dentist regularly makes it easier for you to address tooth decay early on and reduce the need for expensive and occasionally painful dental work, such as a tooth extraction.

A dentist can identify gum disease before it develops into a severe issue. If gum disease is left untreated, it can cause the gingiva to swell up, which makes chewing very painful. Consistent cleanings from a dental hygienist, along with proper brushing and flossing, can help ensure healthy gums and teeth and reduce the risk of developing a severe gum disease.

After your teeth are scaled, they may be polished. In most cases, a gritty paste is used for this. It helps to remove any surface stains on your teeth.

The final step is flossing. Your dental professional will use floss to make sure the areas between your teeth are clean. Be sure to take care of your teeth and gums between regular dental visits. Plaque is always forming on your teeth, but you can manage it by brushing and flossing regularly. Here are some tips for good oral care at home. Enter information about your practice in the fields below, and it will appear at the top of each Patient Education page when printed.

You did not finish creating your certificate. Failure to complete ALL the steps will result in a loss of this test score, and you will not receive credit for this course. Patient Education Patient Materials children's dental health Pregnancy. What happens at your dental visit? Scaling removes plaque and tartar. What you should do between each dental visit Be sure to take care of your teeth and gums between regular dental visits.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Be sure to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Along with the breakdown of gum tissue, gum disease also causes a breakdown of the bone that holds teeth in place. At this point it is common to see teeth loosening or falling out altogether and drastic treatment methods will have to be taken by a dental specialist.

Not only do specialists require more appointments and likely a blow to your wallet, but treatment of gum disease, depending on the severity, can include surgery, extremely deep cleaning, and medication. To avoid all of this, regular dental cleanings are essential in catching and addressing gingivitis before it gets out of hand.

There are many bad habits that can have a negative impact on your oral health, some of which you may not even realize are causing issues. Some of these habits include chewing ice, biting your nails, clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth, eating particularly sticky or hard sweets, brushing your teeth too hard, drinking coffee and red wine, and of course smoking.

When you go for regular dental checkups, your dentist can check for any oral damage caused by these or other habits which you may otherwise not have noticed.

Being informed about specific destructive habits allows you to change or alter your lifestyle choice to prevent further damage. Visiting the dentist allows you to fix the damage that has already been done, and help your oral health be the best it can be. A crucial part of visiting your dentist every six months is getting your teeth and jaw bone x-rayed. X-ray images allow dental professionals to see what is happening beneath the surfaces of your mouth, and can find and diagnose issues that may be invisible to the naked eye.

Problems like this can include impacted teeth, which are growing teeth that are blocked from pushing through the gum line, as often seen in wisdom teeth. Damage to the jawbone can also be pinpointed as well as any bone decay, swelling, cysts, or tumours, all of which are impossible to actually see without x-ray imaging.

Finding these or any other major oral issues as soon as possible is critical in order to properly treat them. Especially with destructive diseases that show little to no symptoms but progress quickly, up-to-date x-rays and bi-annual checkups are the best way to keep on top of your health. In addition to checking your mouth, gums, and tongue for signs or oral cancer, your dentist will also check your neck, jaw, and lymph nodes, located just below your jawline, for any swelling, lumps, or other abnormalities.

If an abnormality is found it could be a sign of a major health issue, and your dentist will alert you to it and refer you the appropriate medical professional. Swollen lymph nodes are a particular area that do not necessarily hurt or seem out of the ordinary but when identified properly by a professional could be a sign of certain kinds of cancer or other diseases that require immediate attention.

Not having regular dental checkups drastically cuts down how often your neck and thyroid glands are checked.