Are Routine Dental Appointments Important?

Do you realize the importance of having routine dental appointments? If you brush and floss your teeth daily, why do you need to go to the dentist twice a year for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning? Here are a few reasons why you should have routine dental appointments.

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Going to your scheduled dental appointments can help your dentist catch tooth decay and gum disease before it becomes a real problem for your oral health. A cavity, or tooth decay, occurs when there is an excess buildup of plaque on your tooth causing the tooth to decay. Your dentist will clean a little extra to prevent cavities from forming. Once a cavity forms in your mouth, you can’t reverse it with extra cleaning and flossing. A filling is needed to enclose the tooth and keep further bacteria from getting into your tooth and causing more infection.

Visiting your dentist for regular checkups, allows him or her to also catch any signs of gingivitis before it turns into gum disease (periodontal disease). Gingivitis is one of the early stages of gum disease. Your gums are red and inflamed from a buildup of plaque at the base of the tooth where the enamel meets the gums. Gingivitis can be treated with a deep cleaning from your hygienist or dentist and an oral care routine. If gingivitis is not caught early, it can lead to gum disease. When you have gum disease, the gums begin to separate from the teeth, forming pockets that become infected with plaque, tartar, and bacteria. As the pockets deepen, more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

If you have good dental habits and go to your dentist for your regular cleanings and checkups, your dentist can catch problems before they cause further damage to your teeth.

Deep Teeth Cleaning

Even though you brush and floss your teeth daily, chances are there is still some plaque or tartar buildup on some of the teeth. Your dental hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth to make sure all the buildup is removed. They can also recommend certain toothpaste and mouthwash to help meet your specific dental needs.

Underlying Dental and Health Issues

Part of your routine dental visit may include your dental hygienist taking X-rays of your teeth and jaw. This helps your dentist catch anything that may be going on below the surface of your mouth (cysts, tumors, or wisdom teeth). Without regular X-rays, there may be underlying dental issues that go unnoticed until symptoms occur.

Your dentist will also check your lymph nodes for any signs of abnormal swelling, inflammation, or lumps. By going to the dentist for your routine dental appointments, they are also checking to make sure everything is going well for your overall health.

Your Overall Health

If you are experiencing a dental-related symptom, it could be related to something else going on in your body. Recent studies have linked gum disease to cardiovascular-related diseases. The bacteria causing your inflamed gums could get into the bloodstream and result in artery blockage. By going to your dentist regularly, you are protecting your overall health.

Schedule Your Routine Dental Appointment Today!

Call Webster Dental in Downers Grove today at 630.663.0554 to schedule your routine dental appointment! Webster Dental’s is located at 1121 Warren Avenue, Suite 130, in Downers Grove, Illinois 60515. We look forward to helping you maintain your oral and overall health!