Are Regular Dental Checkups Overhyped?
Dentists are frequently advising their patients to brush and floss after every meal, avoid certain foodstuffs, and visit them for exams and cleanings twice a year. The average individual may perhaps believe that the dentist is attempting to generate extra revenue by requesting them to attend exams and cleanings every six months. It would be natural for the average individual to believe in this manner as he or she wouldn’t want to shell out a fee during the visits. However, is it possible that dentists are merely advising patients to undergo exams regularly to generate revenue?
A regular checkup has many benefits because it helps people to keep their teeth and gums healthy. This is even for those that are following the dentist’s advice stringently. A dental exam allows the dentist to identify problems that may have developed in the mouth of the patient since the last visit. Let us look at why dentists are recommending regular dental checkups.
What Happens During a Regular Dental Visit?
A dental visit can be divided into two parts, the first of which will be an oral exam followed by oral prophylaxis or cleaning.
During the examination, the dental professional will be checking for cavities by taking x-rays for detecting them between the teeth. The exam will also include a check for plaque and tartar, which may have accumulated on the teeth. Plaque develops in the form of a sticky layer on the teeth. If left alone, the accumulation can harden into tartar. Brushing and flossing will not help patients to remove the tartar. They will need help from the dentist near them to clean the buildup failing, which can develop into oral diseases.
The gums will also be checked during the examination with a special tool to measure the depth of the pockets between the teeth and gums. Healthy gums will have shallow spaces, and people who have gum disease will have hollow spaces. The dentist will also conduct a thorough examination of the tongue, face, neck, and head looking for signs of trouble, redness, swelling, and possible indications of cancer.
Cleaning the Teeth
The teeth of the patient will also be cleaned during the visit. Brushing and flossing would have helped people to remove some plaque from their teeth, but any development of tartar would have made it impossible for them to remove. The cleaning process will let the dentist use special tools to remove the tartar in a method called scaling.
The teeth of the patient will be polished after the scaling is completed by using a gritty toothpaste. It is beneficial to remove any surface stains on the patient’s teeth. The final step will be a lesson in professional flossing to make sure the spaces between the teeth are clean.
Steps to Take between Each Dental Visit
Caring for the teeth and gums is extremely important between regular dental visits. Plaque continues to form on the teeth but can be managed by brushing and flossing regularly. Mentioned below are some tips for patients to take good oral care at home.
- Brushing the teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day is essential.
- Floss after every meal.
- The bacteria in plaque can be controlled with a mouthwash. The mouthwash also helps to freshen the breath.
Some Facts about Regular Dental Checkups
- Regular dental visits are essential because they help to maintain the health of the teeth and gums.
- Regular dental visits include two parts, which are the examination and the cleaning.
- During regular visits for exams and cleanings in Ellicott City, MD, the dental professional will be checking the overall health of the patient along with the oral health looking for signs of any trouble.
- The dental professional will remove any buildup of plaque and tartar during the cleaning and may also polish the teeth.
- The dentist in Ellicott City, MD, recommends regular dental visits at least twice a year to ensure signs of trouble are detected early and dealt with effectively before they advance into a serious condition.
As can be observed, regular dental checkups are not being overhyped by dentists who are only attempting to ensure their patients can enjoy good oral and overall health by attending the exams and cleanings.