Dentists aren't just available for dental emergencies! Here are the advantages of regularly visiting a dentist in Mount Vernon!
Only
64% of adults have visited their dentist in the past year. A routine dental checkup can help you improve and maintain your oral health.
Skipping a dental cleaning, however, gives serious oral health issues the chance to develop.
Read on to discover the benefits of regular checkups with your dentist in Mount Vernon. After reading this guide, you can determine if it's time to schedule your next appointment!
Avoid Tooth Decay
Neglecting to maintain a regular oral hygiene routine gives food particles, bacteria, and saliva the chance to linger. These particles can mix to form plaque. Plaque is the clear, tacky substance that sticks onto and between our teeth.
When you fail to brush plaque away before bed, it can harden into tartar. Even an electric toothbrush can't remove tartar. You'll need to schedule a professional teeth cleaning instead.
Over time, bacteria will begin feeding on the food particles within your mouth. Plaque and tartar can produce acid, causing your protective enamel to break down.
Without protective tooth enamel, your risk of tooth decay increases. You can't regrow enamel once it's gone.
Scheduling a routine dental cleaning can help remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. Your dentist can also make recommendations to help you improve your oral health. Their preventive services can help you avoid tooth decay in the future.
For example, they might recommend sealant or fluoride treatments.
If a cavity forms, it's important to visit your Mount Vernon dentist right away. Otherwise, a cavity can lead to a tooth abscess or infection. Once the infection enters your bloodstream, it could compromise your health.
Regular dental checkups will ensure you receive treatment for a cavity before there are complications.
Spot Signs of Gingivitis
Visiting your Mount Vernon dentist will help you recognize the early signs of gingivitis before it progresses.
Symptoms of gingivitis, or gum disease, include:
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
- Inflammatory responses
- A foul taste in your mouth
- Red, tender, or swollen gums
- Pain when chewing
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- The buildup of plaque or tartar
- Changes in the position of your teeth
- Loose teeth
- Tooth loss
If you don't receive treatment, gingivitis will progress. Advanced periodontal disease can cause the connective tissue holding your teeth in place to deteriorate. Your risk of losing teeth will increase.
You might require more extensive procedures, such as dental implant surgery, if you lose a tooth.
A dental checkup will allow your dentist to recognize signs of gingivitis before it progresses. They'll ensure you treat the problem before there are complications.
Screen for Cancer
Routine checkups also give your dentist the chance to screen you for oral cancer.
Symptoms include:
- Mouth pain
- Ear pain
- Loose teeth
- A white or reddish patch in your mouth
- Lip or mouth sores that don't heal
- Difficult or painful swallowing
- A growth or lump
If these symptoms sound familiar, schedule a dental appointment right away.
Your dentist will use special tools to look for dead tissue that indicates a tumor has developed. They'll screen you for oral cancer on a regular basis. If left untreated, oral cancer could prove fatal.
Brighten Your Smile
Routine appointments will help you improve your oral hygiene. Improving your oral hygiene at home can help brighten your smile. If you're still unhappy with the color of your teeth, consult your dentist.
They can recommend in-office treatments to help brighten your smile. Teeth whitening treatments can further improve your oral hygiene. For example, a dental cleaning and whitening treatment will remove bacteria and stains.
Brightening your smile can improve your self-confidence and quality of life.
Make Adjustments
Not everyone uses the proper techniques when brushing and flossing their teeth. Unfortunately, the wrong techniques could compromise your oral health. For example, perhaps you're brushing too hard, causing your gums to bleed.
Rely on your dentist's experience and expertise. Routine checkups will help you make adjustments to your at-home care.
Your dentist might recommend new brushing techniques. If you're interested in prevention, they might recommend toothpaste that contains fluoride.
Even an electric brush can improve your at-home oral health care.
Save Money
Scheduling checkups every six months can help you save money in the long run.
Your dentist can help you avoid serious oral health issues like cavities and gum disease. Don't wait until you begin experiencing serious symptoms. If you delay treatment, you'll need to schedule multiple appointments to fix the problem.
For example, periodontitis could cause you to lose a tooth. Your remaining teeth will shift toward the gap if you delay treatment. You'll need orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth.
You'll also need a dental implant to replace the tooth you lost.
Routine appointments will help you maintain healthy teeth and a beautiful smile. With help from your Mount Vernon dentist, you can avoid more expensive treatments.
Discover Treatments
During your dental appointment, your dentist can make recommendations based on your needs and concerns.
Perhaps you're unhappy with the color of your teeth. Your dentist can recommend tooth whitening treatments. If you chipped a tooth, they might recommend a dental veneer.
If you recently lost a tooth, they might recommend dental bridges or dental implants.
Let your dentist know about the symptoms you're experiencing. For example, maybe you've developed sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can increase your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
If teeth grinding (bruxism) is causing your sleep apnea, they might recommend you wear a nightguard.
Consulting your dentist will help you find solutions based on your oral health needs. Leveraging their expertise can help you improve your oral health.
Their
dental services can ensure you avoid complications that would otherwise compromise your health in the future.
Visit Your Dentist in Mount Vernon Today
Don't skip your next dental appointment. Instead, schedule a routine checkup with your Mount Vernon dentist. With their help, you can improve your oral health and avoid potential issues.
Want to discuss your oral health care needs with your Mount Vernon dentist? We can't wait to see you!
Contact us now to schedule your next dental appointment.
