Visiting the dentist regularly is an essential part of ensuring that your teeth and gums stay healthy. Fortunately, with the right dentist and a good understanding of what to expect, it doesn’t need to feel scary or unpleasant. We’ll take a look at why exactly regular dental checkups are so important, what you can expect from them, and how often you might need to go.
Why Are Regular Check-Ups So Important?
Having regular dental checkups ensures that your dentist will identify any issues with your teeth, gums, or other aspects of your oral health early. This means that they can be addressed while they’re still minor and easy to treat, rather than once they’ve turned into major issues. Not only does this make the treatment easier, but it can potentially save you a lot of discomfort (and money) and give you better results overall.
The appointment is also a good opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about your teeth and how to take care of them. Your dentist may also give you some advice on changes you can make to your dental hygiene routine or lifestyle to help keep your smile in perfect condition.
What If I Already Have Dental Issues?
If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort in your teeth and gums, you should make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. They’ll be able to identify what the problem is and provide any necessary treatment. Dealing with problems soon after you notice them is crucial for preventing them from getting any worse.
What Will Happen At My Checkup?
Even though things may differ slightly from one dental practice to the next, appointments follow a fairly consistent and predictable structure. Your dentist will often ask questions about your oral health and hygiene as well as about some relevant health and lifestyle factors. They will then typically examine your teeth and gums in order to assess their health and identify any issues. In some instances, they may also take x-rays of your mouth, which can help to identify changes and problems that are still hard to see otherwise.
Once all this is done, they’ll provide you with any necessary advice based on what they’ve noticed as well as discussing your treatment options if they feel any follow-up work is necessary. They’ll also suggest when your next check-up will be. After this, your dentist or a dental hygienist will usually give your teeth a cleaning to remove any plaque and tartar that may have built up and you’ll be ready to go.
How Often Do I Need To Go For Checkups?
The general recommendation is that dental checkups are performed twice per year, meaning around six months between appointments. This gives the dentist plenty of opportunity to catch any problems in the early stages without the appointments becoming too inconvenient for you. However, in some cases, more frequent appointments will be recommended.
Your dentist will usually advise you as to when your next checkup should be, and it’s always best to follow their advice provided you don’t experience any issues before then. If you’re experiencing issues with your mouth, are otherwise concerned about your oral health, or haven’t had a checkup for a long time, it’s recommended to see a dentist as soon as possible.
What Should I Do After My Checkup?
After your checkup, it’s important that you strive to maintain good oral health by following a good oral hygiene routine including brushing and flossing, as well as the use of mouthwash. You should also make sure that you follow any recommendations or advice that your dentist has made. Of course, it’s also important that you attend your next checkup, so you may want to add a note to your calendar or set a reminder to make sure you don’t forget.
Ready For Your Checkup?
Whether you need a regular checkup or an unexpected issue like a toothache has sprung up, you can contact Coast Dental Centre, your dentist in Maple Ridge, and we’ll be happy to help. Our friendly and experienced dental team will put you at ease while addressing any oral health concerns you may have.