While six-month dental checkups and cleanings can sometimes feel like an inconvenience, they are truly your first line of defense against many dental issues such as periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, oral cancer, and cavities. Your dentist in Houston explains what happens at your routine visits and why they are so critical to your oral health.
What Happens During a Routine Dental Visit
There are a few important things that take place during your six-month visits with your dentist. First, your hygienist will clean your teeth and remove the excess plaque buildup that contributes to many dental issues like tooth decay and gum disease.
Next, your dentist will perform a thorough examination that will screen you for many dental conditions that are best treated in their earliest stages. Early detection allows you to be proactive about your oral health and choose less invasive treatment procedures to restore your oral health.
Do I Need to See the Dentist if My Teeth Don’t Hurt?
Many patients wonder why they need to see their dentist frequently if their teeth are not hurting? The answer is because in the world of dentistry, prevention is the key to optimum oral health. If you are feeling pain, chances are the damage has already been done.
For example, if your dentist detects decay in your tooth, it’s likely it can be treated with a simple and less invasive dental filling. If you ignore the decay, it will slowly progress and eventually reach the pulp, or nerve of your tooth. It is likely that you wouldn’t feel any pain until the decay reached the nerve of your tooth and caused an infection, necessitating the need for root canal therapy.
The Oral Systemic Link
Another reason that six-month dental visits are so important is because we now understand how oral health and overall health are related. Studies have shown that the bacteria that causes gum disease can also be contributing to inflammation causing other health concerns in the body such as diabetes and heart disease, and vice versa.
Regular visits with your dentist can help detect gum disease early on and then you can prevent it from progressing further and impacting your overall health and well being.
Is it time for your next cleaning and checkup? Don’t delay in giving your dentist a call today to schedule.
About the Author
Dr. Cher Rich has been practicing dentistry for over 15 years and serving families in Houston for over a decade. She offers patient-centered care provided in a warm and friendly atmosphere in a stylish Victorian house that puts patients at ease right away.
If you would like to contact Dr. Rich, she can be reached through her website or by calling 281-469-6281.