The Importance of Regular Dentist Appointments

 The Importance of Regular Dentist Appointments

 

Health According to the American Dental Association, you should visit a dentist for a cleaning and check-up once every six months. Regular cleanings and check-ups provide many benefits to patients. They help keep teeth and gums clean and allow dental hygienists to remove any plaque and tartar buildup that has accumulated since the last cleaning. Additionally, these regular visits allow dentists to examine the patient's mouth, teeth, gums, and jaw and diagnose any cavities, oral diseases, or other issues that may be present. A 6-month check-up consists of two distinct parts: the cleaning and the check-up itself. During the cleaning, a dental hygienist will use special tools to scrape away plaque and other buildup that has accumulated on the patient's teeth. This procedure is called scaling, and will effectively remove any

 buildup that regular brushing and flossing could not remove. Once the patient's teeth have been scaled, the dental hygienist will polish the teeth by applying a gritty paste to them. This paste will remove surface stains that could not be removed with toothpaste. Following the polish, the dental hygienist will floss the patient's teeth to remove any particles or buildup between the teeth themselves. Following the check-up, a dentist will come and check the patient's teeth. This check-up will include looking for plaque, which is a clear, sticky layer of bacteria that accumulates on a person's teeth. It is very important to check for plaque and brush your teeth regularly because if plaque is allowed to harden, it will become tartar. Tartar is stronger than plaque and cannot be removed by brushing and flossing. If enough plaque and tartar are allowed to build up, they can cause oral diseases. In addition to checking for plaque and tartar, the den

tist will also check the patient's gums. This is done using a special tool that measures the spaces in between the gums. A normal patient's gums have shallow, small spaces in between them. Deeper, larger spaces may indicate that the patient has gum disease. The earlier such issues are noticed, the more easily they can be cured or prevented, which is another reason why regular dental visits are so important. After examining the gums, the dentist will generally also examine the patient's tongue, throat, head, face, and neck. Examining these parts of the body will allow dentists to detect swelling, signs of cancer, or other issues. As discussed above, the earlier that such signs of trouble are noticed, the more easily they can be treated. Although you should visit your dentist at least twice a year, good oral hygiene does not end there. In between visits, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day using toothpaste that contains fluoride. This will help keep plaque, which is constantly forming on your teeth, at bay. You should also floss at least once a day to prevent particles from getting stuck in between your teeth, which can lead to cavities. When looking for a dentist, Westfield, NJ, residents turn to Westfield Smiles. Learn more at