Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Routine Dental Visit

It is recommended that patients of all ages visit the dentist every six months to keep a healthy mouth. These appointments include far more than a fancy teeth cleaning and a chance for your dentist to ask if you are flossing. Routine dental cleanings and checkups are one of the best ways to avoid disruptive and costly oral health problems.

What Happens During a Dental Checkup

There are two main parts to a regular dental visit: your examination and your cleaning. During the exam or check-up at our Waxhaw office, we will check for cavities and other oral health issues. This will often include taking x-rays to detect problems that may not be visible to the naked eye.

By getting a dental exam every six months, we can typically recognize dental disease or decay at its earliest and most treatable stage. For example, red and puffy gums indicate gingivitis, which can often be reversed with a professional cleaning and better brushing habits at home. Advanced gum disease, however, may require more invasive treatment and could lead to tooth loss and systemic health complications.

The next portion of your routine dental visit involves a professional cleaning, otherwise known as an oral prophylaxis. This is a far better cleaning that you’d get at home with your toothbrush and floss. In fact, when plaque hardens along your teeth and gums, it becomes tartar. Tartar can only be removed with the tools and technique of a professional cleaning. In doing so, we can prevent oral diseases from developing when tartar lingers within your smile for too long. There is no comparison to the polished and fresh feeling you’ll achieve with a teeth cleaning from your dentist.

Before you leave your six-month appointment, we will perform an oral cancer screening as well as closely measure your gums to ensure that periodontal disease is not developing or progressing compared to your last visit. You’ll have a chance to ask questions about your oral health, and your dentist may recommend follow-up treatment if necessary.

Benefits of a Dental Checkup

At Carrington Square Dental, we help patients recognize the profound benefits of keeping their routine dental visits. These appointments are a way to protect your oral health, your body health and your wallet – as they often save patients from expensive dental treatments down the road. Call today to schedule your Dental Checkup in Waxhaw.