Have you visited your dentist in Newcastle this year? If not, it’s time to schedule a checkup. Regular dental checkups are essential if you wish to maintain good oral health.
Unfortunately, too many people delay regular checkups and only contact us when a problem develops. Sometimes, the problem can require emergency dental care in Clarington and all too often, it means someone has a nasty toothache.
By seeing us regularly, we can help detect problems early on and provide appropriate restorative and preventive dentistry. Read on to discover five reasons why you should schedule regular dental checkups.
Reducing Your Risk of Cavities
Tooth decay occurs when dental plaque builds up over the tooth enamel. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that erode the enamel, eventually creating small holes or cavities.
When you see us regularly, we check each tooth carefully for any signs of soft spots that can indicate the first beginnings of a cavity. Often, mending a small cavity with a simple filling is very easy. Without treatment, there is a real risk the cavity will progress and reach the tooth pulp, containing the tooth nerve. At this stage, you may experience painful toothache.
Reducing Your Risk of Gum Disease
Regular dental visits, especially your hygiene appointments, help prevent gum disease. Even if you practice good oral care, brush twice daily, and floss every day, some dental plaque will likely remain and harden into tartar or calculus. A professional dental cleaning is the only way to remove this substance.
Getting rid of tartar buildup eliminates harmful bacteria that can cause gum disease. At the same time, your professional dental cleaning helps freshen your breath and your smile, and we can carefully polish your teeth, making them sparkle with health.
Treating Tooth Sensitivity
Often, an early sign of dental problems is increased tooth sensitivity. Your teeth can become more sensitive if you suffer from gum recession, have crumbling or worn fillings or have an untreated cavity.
When you see our dentist in Courtice, they can examine your teeth to ensure your fillings are still in good shape and detect any signs of problems that could cause tooth sensitivity. We can then provide suitable treatment to reduce tooth sensitivity and discuss ways to manage it at home, for example, using toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Oral cancer can develop anywhere in the mouth, affecting your tongue, gums, cheeks or lips, or throat. It is a disease often detected late in the day because your dentist is most likely the only person who regularly examines the inside of your mouth.
Dentists are specially trained to detect signs of oral cancer, so a regular oral cancer screening is an important part of your preventative dental care regime. Our dentist can check the inside of your mouth carefully, including your tongue, gently feel around your neck, and look for any colour changes or changes to the texture of your oral tissues. If we see anything that requires further investigation, we can take a small sample of cells for analysis or refer you to a specialist.
Protecting Your Overall Health
When you have good oral health, it helps protect your general health. Your risk of developing serious health problems or worsening existing problems is lowered. Poor oral health is increasingly linked to major health issues like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, dementia and respiratory illnesses.