You’re busy. You have work and family obligations and just want to rest once in a while. We get it. You deserve a break – as long as it’s not at the expense of your oral health. If you have a teeth cleaning coming up, don’t be tempted to push it back or, worse, cancel it completely. Seeing your dentist and hygienist every six months is crucial for your teeth, gums, and overall well-being.
Here are just some of the reasons to never skip a teeth cleaning:
1. You can’t reach every tooth on your own.
You might brush and floss religiously every day, getting every tooth and crevice as best you can. But that’s the key – you’re doing the best you can. There is no way for you to reach every nook and cranny or see every area of build-up. Your hygienist, however, has the visibility to recognize teeth that require a little more TLC and has the tools to truly slough off built-up plaque and tartar.
2. Problems can be identified and fixed before they become major issues.
You might have a hairline crack in a tooth that you never noticed but your dentist did – and fixing it now with simple tooth bonding or filling material can prevent serious complications. Maybe you have gum recession and worn tooth enamel – your dentist will recognize that it’s time to talk TMJ therapy and customized nightguards. Seeing your dentist regularly is like an insurance policy for your teeth – an opportunity for someone to recognize problems and treat them before they become disasters.
3. Digital x-rays tell all.
Typically, digital x-rays are done once a year, depending on your insurance plan. Even if you’re not due for x-rays, your dentist can take them as needed if you have a problem area that requires further investigation. X-rays are an important part of dental diagnostics, revealing things that may be happening under the crowns of your teeth so they can be addressed before they cause serious, painful, expensive oral health complications.
4. Oral health screenings can save you from disaster.
Your Manhattan Beach dentist conducts multiple small exams within your dental checkup. A gum screening looks for any signs of gum disease. When caught early, this problem can be treated quickly before it has the chance to get out of hand and lead to pain and, worse, tooth loss.
An oral cancer screening is also a perfunctory but critical piece of every dental visit. Oral cancer is not easy to notice in the early stages, but your dentist is carefully trained to recognize symptoms. With early discovery, this cancer is highly treatable. With late discovery, it is not.
5. This is your chance to ask all your dental questions.
Have you been thinking about getting Invisalign and wondering if you’re a good candidate? Do you wish you could get your teeth whitened? Are you interested in more advanced cosmetic dentistry like porcelain veneers? Do you want to switch out your unsightly silver fillings for tooth-colored fillings? Whatever questions you have about the condition of your teeth and how they look, your dentist can answer them. Your biannual dental visits are the time to ask and get answers.
Time for a checkup and teeth cleaning? Contact your dentist at Beachside Smiles in Manhattan Beach right away.
