The Importance of Keeping Your Dental Exams and Periodic Cleanings

Many adults balk at the idea of visiting the dentist when they aren’t having any problems with their teeth. They assume that visiting the dentist just to receive a clean bill of health is just a waste of money.

But, in fact, keeping your regular dental check-ups and cleanings can actually save you money in the long-run by making sure small problems don’t turn into expensive ones.

Keeping Your Exams Saves Your Money in the Long Run

If you don’t keep up with your oral health cleanings and exams, costly dental problems might occur.

Maintaining good oral health is also an important part of keeping your whole body healthy. While daily brushing and flossing is essential for a healthy mouth, regular check-ups and cleanings are also very important. Good oral health is also linked to good overall health.

When to Get a Checkup

For most adults, it is recommended they get a dental checkup and cleaning every six months. However, depending on your individual needs and personal dental history, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits.

What Happens During an Exam

During a typical dental exam, patients go through two important preventative treatment processes: cleaning and evaluation. Exams often begin with a deep clean performed by a dental hygienist. These are dental professionals who have been trained to use special equipment and techniques to remove the tartar and plaque that daily brushing and flossing might miss.

Once your teeth have been cleaned and polished, the dentist will come in to evaluate your neck, throat, tongue, teeth, and gums for any signs of damage, disease, or decay. X-rays may also be taken. If any troubled spots are found, your dentist will recommend a treatment plan and subsequent visits will be scheduled.

Even though the American Dental Association has invested millions of dollars in educating the public on the importance of maintaining good oral health, 50% of Americans do not visit their dentist regularly. This is a disturbing statistic considering that nearly the same percentage of adults have some level of gum disease and nearly three-quarters of adults are estimated to have at least one cavity.

By regularly monitoring your oral health and keeping up on necessary preventative care, dental disease and decay is less likely to occur. If a problem is found during your regular check-up, it is often easier to fix because it was spotted quickly. As a result, the need for expensive intervention and treatment is virtually eliminated, and any threat to your overall health has been removed. When it comes to keeping your dental exams and periodic cleanings, remember the old saying: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

If you haven’t been in the office in a while, we’d love to see you. Contact Manhattan Dental Care today to schedule your consultation.