Dental Hygiene: What is the Importance of Regular Dental Check-Ups?

A healthy smile isn’t just good for your self esteem. It’s also vital to your overall health. Together with maintaining a healthy diet and good dental hygiene, regular dental checkups are one of the best ways to keep your smile looking and feeling great.  

Here’s why booking a routine dental checkup should be at the top of your to-do list. 

1. It helps prevent dental decay.

Regular brushing and flossing are key to keeping your teeth and gums in good shape. But the clean and polish you get during a routine checkup will help remove any plaque or tartar on teeth and along the gum line – and help you identify problem areas to focus on when brushing.

2. It helps prevent periodontal disease.

Periodontal (gum) disease is a progressive disease that can result in bone loss – and even tooth loss. A routine check-up is a great opportunity to identity periodontitis in its early stages and help take measures to reverse or prevent it. 

3. It can identify other health issues.

Oral health goes beyond your teeth and gums. Your dentist can help spot the signs of other oral health issues such as tongue or mouth cancer – or even day-to-day issues such as stress, which may show up through teeth grinding (bruxism.) Early detection is vital for effective treatment.

4. It can prevent future issues.

A routine checkup is the ideal opportunity to flag possible issues you may experience in future – and help identify a plan to minimize the risk of issues in future. This may involve changing your diet, quitting smoking or drinking, adjusting how you brush and floss, switching up your toothpaste, or even discussing procedures such as wisdom teeth removal or cosmetic dentistry options.

5. It can help save a tooth!

Early intervention can help save your teeth. For example, very minor demineralization can be reversed, avoiding the need for a filling. A small filling can help reduce the risk of a root canal or extraction down the line. By attending your regular dental checkups, you can get the treatment you need when you need it – and prevent future issues from arising. 

6. It keeps your teeth looking great.

A brush and a polish can remove staining, restoring your teeth to their natural color. You can also ask about simple cosmetic procedures such as fluoride treatments or whitening – and give those pearly whites a boost.   

7. It sets a good example.

If you have children in the home, attending your routine checkups is a great way to model good dental hygiene behaviors. They’ll learn that there’s nothing to fear about going to the dentist – and that regular checkups are something to aspire to in order to keep their smiles healthy.

Ready to book your routine dental checkup? There’s no better time than now. Talk to the friendly team at Optimal Dental – and feel confident in your brighter, healthier smile.