As soon as we start to grow baby teeth, we begin to visit the dentist for regular dental care. However, as we reach adulthood, we might wonder whether going to the dentist’s office so often is worth the hassle. But during these appointments, a dentist performs crucial dental work that keeps your smile both clean and healthy.
Do not skip a routine dental visit. You can feel encouraged to attend these check-ups when you know what occurs and why you require this attention to your smile. Read on to learn more about the importance of regular dentist appointments and the frequency you should seek preventative dental care.
Why Do I Need Routine Dental Care?
When you attend a routine dentist appointment, the dental professional will first clean your teeth. You practice oral hygiene at home, but your toothbrush and floss cannot reach all areas of your mouth. So the dentist will scrape away plaque and tartar build-up during this visit.
If these residues remain on your smile, they can eat away at your dental structure, leaving you vulnerable to major dental problems. Fight tooth decay, gum disease, and more by attending dental cleanings as directed.
A dentist will also evaluate your oral health during these appointments. They examine your teeth and gums to find early signs of cavities and other dental issues you might not notice otherwise. Then they can treat them as needed.
This early intervention ensures easier treatment and fewer complications if these concerns were allowed to progress. Without this preventative dental care, you could see irreversible damage to the look and feel of your smile.
How Often Should I Schedule Dental Check-Ups?
The average dental patient should see their dentist for routine oral health care twice a year. This six-month window establishes an ideal period for a dentist to remove harmful plaque from your smile before it causes lasting harm to your smile. And a dentist can spot and treat dental issues promptly enough to prevent serious damage.
Some dental patients might need to see their dentist more frequently, however. Senior-aged patients, those with a high risk of tartar formation, and people with underlying health problems might need to visit their dentist three or four times per year. Talk to your dentist to find the ideal preventative dental care plan for your unique smile.
What Do I Do During a Dental Emergency?
If you knock out a tooth or feel severe pain in your mouth, you should call your dentist right away. You do not have to suffer from oral discomfort until you can attend your next regularly scheduled dentist appointment. Your dentist can invite you to attend an emergency dental visit to evaluate and relieve your symptoms.
Even if a new symptom feels tolerable or seems intermittent, it could point to a larger dental problem that may seriously hurt your smile. Contact your dentist as soon as you can for an exam and urgent dental treatment.
