You would be surprised by how many times people have said that they don’t need to visit the dentist regularly. According to your cosmetic dentist in Denton, patients often say that because they practice at-home oral care, or because they don’t have any present issues, that means they don’t need to visit every six months or even annually. Unfortunately, that isn’t the best way to prevent dental issues from occurring.
In fact, regular visits can make a huge difference in your oral and overall health. Here’s why.
A Professional Cleaning That Saves You Money
Even if you take all the steps to perform fantastic at-home oral care, it doesn’t come close to what your dentist in Denton can offer. Not only are their tools and materials professional-grade, but they can examine areas of the mouth that are often missed during at-home care. Furthermore, only dentists can remove tartar, a calcified form of dental plaque, so if you’ve only recently improved your at-home care, it doesn’t mean it will disappear.
Even if you don’t have any dental issues now, the most cost-efficient way to prevent issues, whether it’s tooth decay, gum disease, or dental emergencies, is through biannual dental visits. Every dollar spent on preventive care is worth dozens more on restorative and emergency care, so don’t get caught paying a high dental bill that could have been prevented.
Discovering and Treating Early Signs of Cavities
Another reason to visit the dentist regularly is to catch and treat early signs of cavities before they develop further. Cavities can easily form without patients noticing, mainly because they don’t have any symptoms in the early stages. The only way you could know that cavities are present is if they’ve developed passed the enamel and dentin to the inner tooth. This is where the nerves are located, so if you start to feel sudden pain from your mouth, chances are you’re already too late.
Catching Periodontal Disease Before It’s Too Late
Gum disease is referred to as the “silent killer” for good reason. Similar to cavities, the early signs have very few symptoms. The most common symptom is bleeding while brushing, which could be either gingivitis or moderate to severe periodontitis, depending on your other symptoms.
In the event it is only gingivitis, your dentist can recommend techniques to improve your oral care regimen at home. This will sufficiently treat and cure your gingivitis. However, gum disease past this early stage is irreversible and only manageable. The only way to confirm if your gums are in good condition is to get examined by your cosmetic dentist in Denton.
Preventive visits protect you from disease and cost the least amount, especially since most dental insurance covers preventive care. Schedule an appointment today to confirm your oral health and brushing regimen are sufficient!
About the Author
Dr. Ted Dunson earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Baylor College of Dentistry. He works incredibly hard to make patients feel comfortable while confirming their oral health is in the best condition possible. To learn more about his practice, contact him through his website.