Summary
Let’s face it: Most adults don’t concern themselves with their oral health until there’s an issue!
Interestingly, however, there are upsides to visiting your dentist for regular cleanings and exams in Missouri. Regular visits ensure sound oral health and keep you ahead of 80% of Americans who have a cavity in their mouth.
Therefore, in this blog, we’ll have a closer look at the importance of regular cleanings and dental exams via topics like:
- Importance of Dental Exams and Cleanings
- What Happens During a Routine Dental Exam?
- 7 Key Benefits of Regular Dental Checkups
- How Often Should You Get a Dental Exam and Cleaning?
- Common Misconceptions About Dental Exams and Cleanings
Continue reading as we learn more about oral exams and cleanings in the following sections.
Importance of Dental Exams and Cleanings
Regular dental checkups (including expert teeth cleaning) are the foundation of preventive dentistry, which focuses on minimizing or eliminating oral health problems. Routine checkups and cleanings are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Wonder why?
A healthy mouth can also help shield the rest of the body from significant medical conditions.Oral infections can spread throughout your body, affecting crucial organs. Furthermore, monitoring your oral health might reveal symptoms of problems with your general health that would otherwise go undiscovered.
Besides, maintaining good oral health might save you money on future dental operations.
What Happens During a Routine Dental Exam?
During a standard dental checkup, a dentist assesses oral health and looks for cavities, oral cancer, and gum disease. Once you visit your dentist, you can expect X-rays to be frequently used throughout the examination to reveal hidden disorders. They will also evaluate the bite, jaw, and alignment and inspect dental treatments such as fillings or crowns.
They may also examine the tongue, throat, and other tissues. The cleaning procedure includes removing tartar and plaque after polishing your teeth to improve their look. It allows your dentist to examine your oral hygiene and address any concerns. This proactive approach prevents and manages oral health concerns early on, giving optimal dental health throughout life.
In the following section, let’s learn more about the benefits of regular checkups in detail.
7 Key Benefits of Regular Dental Checkups
1. Preventive Care
During your visit, your dentist will thoroughly evaluate your teeth and, if necessary, request X-rays. Many cases of tooth decay begin with little, easily ignored soft patches that later progress to painful cavities and root infections. Preventive treatment reduces the need for root canals or extractions to a simple filling.
2. Gum Disease Treatment
Nearly 50% of all individuals suffer from periodontitis or gum disease. This degenerative illness causes inflammation, gum recession, and eventual tooth loss. If identified early (gingivitis), periodontal disease can be reversed, and your gums can be saved.
3. Plaque & Tartar Removal
During a professional cleaning, your dentist inspects your teeth with sophisticated equipment, entering nooks and crannies you may have missed during your everyday routine. After scraping away the plaque and tartar, they use a high-powered brush to clean their teeth and remove debris.
4. Oral Hygiene Education
Brushing “badly” is preferable to not brushing at all, but there is always an opportunity to improve oral hygiene. Your dentist will offer insights on how to brush and floss your teeth more thoroughly, what products to use, and which bad habits to avoid.
5. Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening may be required to maintain your teeth as attractive as possible. You might be able to schedule this after your regular cleaning, saving you another visit to the dentist.
6. Oral Cancer Detection
During your exam, your dentist in Kansas City, Missouri, does more than only monitor for tooth decay and periodontitis. They also look for any signs of malignancy, as more than 50,000 new instances of oral cancer are detected every year. Remember, early diagnosis can save your life.
7. Getting Comfortable
One of the most essential advantages of regular dental cleanings is developing the habit of seeing your dentist every six months. If you have dental anxiety, you may postpone seeing the dentist unless necessary, which can result in unneeded worry and suffering. Routine visits allow you to get to know the individuals who are caring for you and become comfortable with the cleaning procedure.
How Often Should You Get a Dental Exam and Cleaning?
Dental checkups and cleanings are typically scheduled every six months. However, the best timeline varies depending on the individual’s dental health demands. Some people, such as those with specific medical issues or a history of gum disease, may require more regular visits, as indicated by their dentist. On the other hand, those with good dental health may benefit from yearly check-ups. Dentists consider each patient’s circumstances when determining the proper interval for cleanings and exams, emphasizing frequent preventive treatment to preserve oral health and avoid future problems.
Common Misconceptions About Dental Exams and Cleanings
1. It’s unnecessary if there’s no pain:
A widespread misperception is that dental checkups and cleanings are only essential when discomfort or an apparent problem exists. Regular check-ups are essential for preventative treatment, recognizing issues early on, and maintaining good dental health, often before symptoms appear.
2. Suitable only for cavities:
Some people feel dental examinations are primarily designed to identify cavities. While cavity identification is part of the procedure, comprehensive exams also evaluate gum health, bite alignment, and oral cancer screening, stressing a more holistic approach to oral health.
3. Cleanings make you uncomfortable:
Many people avoid cleanings because they believe they are inconvenient or painful. Dental specialists employ sophisticated, mild procedures, and the discomfort is usually minor. Regular cleanings are necessary to eliminate plaque and tartar and avoid gum disease and tooth decay.
4. You don’t need to maintain your oral hygiene post-checkup:
Even those who practice good dental hygiene benefit from expert cleanings. Dental experts can reach places difficult to clean at home and remove stubborn plaque and tartar to ensure optimal oral health.
5. Suitable only for children or those with visible issues:
Some may feel that basic dental treatment is only for youngsters or those with apparent teeth issues. Regular dental checkups and cleanings benefit everyone, regardless of age or apparent difficulties, since they prevent possible problems and maintain long-term oral health.
Takeaway
- Regular visits ensure sound oral health and keep you ahead of the 80% of Americans with a cavity in their mouth.
- Many people avoid cleanings because they believe they are inconvenient or painful; however, it’s not true!
- Dentists consider each patient’s circumstances when determining the proper interval for cleanings and exams.
- Still worried about the possibility of regular checkups? Visit our Dental Care Center in South Kansas City today!
