Visiting the dentist is often the last way people want to spend an afternoon. Most people associate the dentist with drilling, pain, and anxiety. Regular dental visits can reduce or eliminate those fears and the need for more invasive interventions. With good dental hygiene and regular care, cavities and other dental problems can be avoided.
Regular Dental Visits & Cleanings
Even the most dedicated tooth-brusher is going to miss spots of plaque and tartar build up. Brushing and flossing are an essential part of your dental hygiene routine, but they’re not enough to protect your teeth. You need regular cleanings to keep your pearly whites in tip top shape.
Cavity Prevention
Cavities don’t give you any warning that they’re beginning to form. The first clue most of us have that a cavity is forming is the telltale ache when the tooth deteriorates far enough to expose a nerve. By then, drilling and filling is necessary to repair the tooth. Regular dental checkups allow you to catch cavities early on, when the repair is relatively simple and it’s not necessary to take more drastic measures like a root canal to repair the damage.
Gum Disease and other Preventatives
Gum disease doesn’t just mean that your gums bleed when you brush. If your gums begin to break down, more of the tooth is exposed to bacteria, putting you at higher risk for cavities and tooth loss. Gingivitis causes the gum to pull away from the tooth, leading to more tooth decay and loss. As gum disease progresses, it can begin to break down the bones that hold the teeth. Drastic treatment methods would be necessary by a dental specialist. Early detection and treatment can stop gum disease and prevent major problems down the road.
Education
There are lifestyle choices and habits that have an impact upon your dental health. Obvious things like smoking may come to mind, but more subtle problems like nighttime tooth grinding can cause pain in the jaw and tooth loss due to excessive wear. Your dentist can spot damage early and prevent tooth loss with regular visits. In-office x-rays can pinpoint problems that aren’t immediately obvious or visible on the surface.
Don’t take chances with your dental health. Contact Three Trees Orthodontics today, and make your appointment. You’ll be glad you did.