People are constantly reminded to visit their dentist on a regular basis, hardly a day goes by when public service messages and ads on TV and in magazines don’t make note of this. Although there is no shortage of reminders the full reasoning behind it is rarely explained. Many people have an aversion to a dentist; these people need to understand why regular dental checkups are important; this information might help spur them into making an appointment. The ADA, American Dental Association recommends twice yearly visits for a professional cleaning and a thorough checkup.
The reason why people go to a dentist is so that they can keep their teeth and gums in perfect health. When you go to the dentist the first thing that usually happens is that your teeth are cleaned thoroughly by a dental hygienist, this cleaning is much more thorough than you could ever do at home. The dental hygienist uses various tools to remove built up plaque and tartar, the hygienist will also offer suggestions on how you can improve the health of your teeth between visits. Once the cleaning has been completed the hygienist will hand you to the dentist along with information on any issues that need further investigation.
Most dental problems do not become an issue until they are advanced and causing pain. It is unfortunate but dental problems that have been allowed to advance are irreversible, the tooth or the teeth will have to be drilled and filled or in a worst case scenario; extracted. When you have regular dental checkups the dentist can spot well in advance any areas which are potentially at risk and head off problems before they become much worse.
When you visit the dentist on a regular basis you can avoid getting a risky dental infection. A cavity in a tooth can be very painful; it can also be very dangerous. When the infection is in the tooth root it takes very little for it to enter into the bloodstream, this can lead to septicemia which can be fatal if not attended to immediately.
A dentist understands that many people are afraid of visiting him or her. Modern dentistry is no longer what it was years ago, today a dentist has far better equipment than ever and for those that do suffer from anxiety and stress the dentist can provide you with conscious sedation to help you make your visit without fear.
