Some people only go to the dentist when they’re having a dental problem, like pain or a broken tooth at which point it may be too late to save the tooth or repair it easily. Many others don’t see the dentist as often as they should. It’s recommended that you see your dentist every six months at least for check-ups and professional cleanings, and there are several reasons why this time frame is important. Keeping regular appointments with Caleb A Robinson General Dentistry in New Philadelphia, OH or your area dentist will keep your teeth and body healthy for years to come.
What To Expect At A Dental Visit
A regular dental visit typically has two distinct parts: a professional cleaning by a dental hygienist and an examination by your dentist. Usually the cleaning is performed first, but if your dentist decides that you need X-rays (usually once a year or so), those will be taken before the dentist comes in to examine your mouth.
During the exam, your dentist will check for cavities, ensure teeth are still stable and secure in your gums, and identify and prevent small issues to be treated before they become major problems. Even maintaining a good at-home oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing and flossing every day still needs to be accompanied by routine professional cleanings and exams.
Why Are Professional Teeth Cleanings Necessary?
Brushing and flossing at home are the most important parts of your oral health, so, if you’re already doing that, why is it so important to get professional cleanings?
Over time, even with faithful adherence to your oral hygiene regimen, plaque and tartar will accumulate in the hard-to-reach places on and between your teeth. Special tools and skills, that your dental hygienist has, are required to remove tartar. Tartar begins as plaque, a sticky layer that is created from saliva and leftover food particles in our mouths. Brushing and flossing may remove most of the plaque but it’s still difficult to get it all, and over time it can build up and harden to form tartar, which cannot be removed with floss or a toothbrush, and is the first stage of tooth decay.
During a cleaning, your hygienist uses their special tools to remove tartar and can offer you insight on areas where you may need to pay extra attention when you brush and floss, such as behind the teeth or in between the molars. They will also use a professional-grade toothpaste to brush your teeth and floss to eliminate any plaque buildup that is underway.
Prevent Tooth Decay With Regular Dental Checkups
Tooth decay can affect anyone and if left untreated, can lead to serious health problems such as tooth loss, abscesses, and even serious systemic health problems such as heart disease or Alzheimer’s Disease. Your dentist can save you money and discomfort by treating problems early when it’s more easily done since small cavities are much easier to treat than abscesses!
Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Robinson
Scheduling and keeping checkups with Dr. Caleb Robinson in New Philadelphia, OH or your area dentist is essential to maintaining good oral health and will help you avoid potentially uncomfortable and expensive procedures. If you need a checkup, call (330) 269-5805 or schedule your appointment online.