The Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommends seeing your dentist every 6 months. But why is it so important to see the dentist regularly? This is because a 6-monthly check-up and clean can help keep your teeth and gums healthy as well as help detect diseases early.
When oral health issues are detected early, it can result in a greater treatment outcome. Ignoring or leaving oral concerns until they become troublesome can be much more difficult to treat.
Here are some of the most important reasons why you should see your dentist in Camberwell regularly:
- Early diagnosis of tooth decay. The primary reason to visit your dentist regularly is to avoid dental issues such as tooth decay and gum problems. These issues may seem minor at first, but they can lead to more serious problems and even major dental concerns if they are not addressed early. So, regular visits can help you in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
2. Dental Health During Pregnancy
Mothers who are expecting and suffering from gum disease can end up delivering a premature baby with very low birth weight. A premature baby can possibly suffer from many different diseases such as heart conditions, asthma, lung conditions, and even learning disorders. This is the reason our dentists always remind us to give importance to your dental health.
3. Gum Disease
Gum disease is caused by plaque bacteria that builds up around, on and in between your teeth. If this bacteria is not removed by regular brushing and flossing it can irritate gums, leading to red, swollen and bleeding gums, which are all symptoms of gum disease, known as gingivitis.
If these signs of gum disease are left untreated, small ‘pockets’ may develop between teeth and gums. As these pockets deepen it can eventually lead to periodontitis, which is one of the most serious types of gum disease. Once you reach this stage of gum disease, damage may have occurred, and if left untreated can lead to tooth loss.
This is why it is so important to find an effective gum disease treatment at the early gingivitis stages, to keep your gums healthy.
4. Discover Hidden Teeth Problems Using an X-Ray Scan
In some cases, dentists might also perform X-ray scans on your mouth to discover problems that are usually hidden from plain sight. For example, some people complain of persistent infections or teeth pain that doesn’t go away. These symptoms might be caused by obstructed teeth, particularly the wisdom ones. Your dentist might perform an X-ray if necessary to ensure that your oral health is not affected by silent dental abnormalities.
5. It’s Been a While
Your teeth don’t hurt, your gums don’t bleed, you brush & floss regularly, you don’t have that much plaque or tartar build up, your teeth are not too yellow, you think your breath smells fine, so why should you visit the dentist in Camberwell? The truth is, many potential dental problems start with no noticeable symptoms at all. Visiting us regularly for a teeth cleaning & dental exam is the best way to detect unseen problems. For example, we do periodic x-rays of your teeth during your visit because it helps us spot cavities that may be starting between your teeth or under fillings that would otherwise not be visible to the naked eye & aren’t yet causing you pain. When you visit Riversdale Dental we can detect signs of a problem that you may not know to look for, such as signs of tooth grinding or even oral cancer. Plus, why would you want to miss out on that wonderful smooth & fresh smile that you can only get after a cleaning at the dentist?
6. Head, Neck, and Lymph Node Checks
In addition to checking your mouth, gums, and tongue for signs or oral cancer, your dentist will also check your neck, jaw, and lymph nodes, located just below your jawline, for any swelling, lumps, or other abnormalities. If an abnormality is found it could be a sign of a major health issue, and your dentist will alert you to it and refer you the appropriate medical professional.
So, Are Dental Checkups Worth the Effort?
There is a strong link between good oral health and a person’s overall well-being. The condition of your teeth and gums can impact just about every system in your body, including circulatory, digestive, reproductive and respiratory systems. Maintaining good oral health can help reduce your risk of serious health problems.
If you are unsure of how often you need a cleaning and checkup, your dentist will be able to make a recommendation for you, please call our Camberwell clinic on (03) 9882 5566
At Riversdale Dental in Camberwell we specialise in all areas of children’s dental, cosmetic dentistry, dentures, crowns, root canal, dental implants and teeth whitening procedures. Book here for a check up with one our family dentists today.
