The Ben­e­fits of Pre­ven­tive Den­tistry: How Reg­u­lar Check-ups Can Save Your Smile

We can see the logic in this approach, but it fails to take into consideration a key factor. Many dental problems won’t be obvious to you until treatment is required. This means that your dentist might be able to spot the early signs of an issue and take action before it becomes more widespread – and painful!

How often do I need to visit the dentist?

Dentists won’t recommend more check ups than you really need, but you will need to get into a routine of visiting regularly before they can offer more accurate advice.

Some patients are able to visit the dentist every 2 years as their dentist knows that they have a good oral health routine and don’t often run into issues. But others might need to visit the dentist every 6 months to help stay on top of certain conditions such as gum disease.

The best way to establish a good oral health routine is to start booking an appointment with your dentist every 6 months. After your first checkup, your dentist will recommend if you should wait 6 months or a year for your next appointment. The more you go, the better tailored the advice will be for your needs.

If you visit the dentist and you get the all clear, this isn’t a wasted visit. Your dentist is checking for hidden problems, so if they don’t find any, you can enjoy improved oral health. This is the basic principle of preventative dentistry. By stopping problems before they can become much worse, you can avoid the need for more extensive treatment.

Benefits of preventative dentistry

Stopping dental issues in their tracks is a highly effective way to avoid expensive restorative treatments. Here are just some of the benefits of regular dental checkups for preventative care:

• Small issues won’t have the chance to become much bigger issues. This could mean you avoid painful conditions or damage to your teeth. You might not be able to spot the signs of tooth decay until it is too late and treatment is required, but your dentist can intervene before it reaches this stage. This only works if your dentist can check your teeth regularly.

• The early signs of oral cancer are more likely to be caught if your dentist sees you regularly. This is a vital part of dental checkups that cannot be overlooked. You might not even be aware that your dentist is carrying out an oral cancer check, but it is nonetheless vital.

• If you are not brushing your teeth correctly at home, your dentist will be able to see the evidence in your mouth. They can offer advice and support to help you to properly care for your teeth and make sure you don’t miss a spot.

• If your oral health care needs change, your dentist can keep you informed. As you get older, your gums may recede, leading to pockets around the gum line. This could mean you have to change your oral care routine to make sure you’re cleaning all parts of your mouth. With regular checkups, your dentist can offer better advice.

• Regular checkups are the cornerstone of good dentistry, as it means your dentist can track changes in your smile and take action if anything is amiss. For example, if your wisdom teeth are in the process of emerging, your dentist can track their movement much easier if they see you regularly. This can allow them to take action before they become painful.

Final thoughts on dental checkups

Your dental checkup is a simple task you need to check off your to-do list every 6-12 months. Rather than build it up in your head to be something more taxing, try to keep it in perspective. A checkup should take around 15-20 minutes, and once it’s done you don’t have to think about it for months. Get in touch today if you’re overdue for a dental checkup.