Terri Ramsey Beavers If you’re like most people, then you’re certainly not going to turn a blind eye to a dental problem, be it bleeding gums, tooth pain, visible or painful damage to your teeth, or otherwise. However, if you’re only seeing your dentist when you have a problem or an emergency, then you could be doing your oral health more harm than you think. Here, we’re going to look at how important regular visits are.
It’s vital for providing preventative care
The most important reason to see your dentist is the care that they can provide. This includes routine cleanings and checkups, during which not only can they contribute to better cared-for teeth, but they can also highlight any risks of things like decay or gum care that you can then follow their advice on. This means that you can prevent small issues from becoming much larger concerns down the road. Dentists also routinely check for the signs of conditions like oral cancer, so it’s well worth making the trip for the peace of mind it can afford.
You can save some money
You want to make sure that you have the best smile you can, but you don’t want to go broke under treatment fees. However, avoiding the dentist is only more likely to end up costing you more. If you can stop the issues that affect your mouth earlier, through proactive treatment or by following dentist recommendations, then it’s going to cost you a lot less than it would for a much more extensive treatment. Changing your mouthwash is going to cost a lot less than a denture to replace a missing tooth, that’s for sure.
Your dentist can highlight unexpected conditions
You might expect a dentist to tell you about the risk of decay, gum disease, tartar buildup, and other such issues. But dentists can also help you find the causes of problems that might not always seem related to your teeth. For instance, extra tension or pain in your jaw could be a result of grinding your teeth at night. Your dentist might be able to see the signs of this, even if you don’t suspect it at all, and provide treatment, like a mouthguard, that can prevent damage in the future. You never expect what a dentist might find and how it can help you.
They can ensure a better level of care
One of the good things about going to see your dentist on a more regular basis is that they can also see how well you’re taking care of your teeth and make recommendations on how to improve your care. This can include tips on brushing and flossing, as well as products to try, be it a toothpaste designed for people fighting gum disease or water flossers for people who have trouble using the string type.
Don’t underestimate the help that a dentist can provide outside of emergency appointments or fixing problems for you. You’re a lot less likely to experience those problems in the first place if you visit more regularly.