The Importance of Your Bi-Annual Dental Visit

| October 19, 2015

dental checkupWe all have busy schedules these days, and it can be tempting to postpone or cancel that bi-annual dentist appointment in favor of a more pressing deadline. However, routine dental appointments are one of the most important steps to maintaining your oral health.

Here are a few things to consider the next time you are thinking about missing that checkup.

Why Your Routine Appointment is Important

While some people can go longer than six months without an appointment (and some need to go more frequently), the average person produces enough tartar in six months to require a cleaning by a dental hygienist.

Since tartar is too hard to be removed by a toothbrush, even if you have no other issues, getting in the dentist chair twice a year is key to keeping it in check.

What Happens During the Visit

Your regular visit is made up of two parts – the checkup and the cleaning.

During the checkup, a dental professional will check your teeth for cavities and any plaque or tartar buildup. They will also check your gums and measure the spaces between them and your teeth to ensure that they are healthy.

The checkup should also include an exam of your tongue, cheeks, neck, and throat just to be sure that every aspect of your oral health is up to par.

The cleaning involves a process called scaling where the dental professional uses hand or ultrasonic tools to remove tartar. Your teeth are then polished and flossed.

What Your Dentist is Looking For

We look for a number of immediate oral health issues during your visit. We will check for cavities, signs of gum disease, plaque and tartar build up, and tooth decay.

Believe it or not – the condition of your mouth can also alert us to other health issues that you might not even realize. We can also spot signs of:

  • Diabetes
    • Those with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes have a harder time fighting bacterial infection, including in the mouth
  • Osteoporosis
    • A receding gum line and loose teeth can be indicators of this condition
  • Acid reflux
    • We may spot enamel erosion along your back molars, a sign of acid reflux
  • Oral cancer
    • The signs of oral cancer start small and may only be noticed by your dentist
  • Heart disease
    • There may be a link between gum disease and heart disease. Dentists are often the first line of defense in keeping your heart healthy

How to Schedule an Appointment

If it has been awhile since your last appointment, our staff at Grandview Dental Care would be happy to help out. Your first exam with us includes:

  • A thorough cleaning
  • Digital x-rays
  • Examination for signs of cavities, decay or gum disease
  • Mouth, face and head evaluation
  • Discussion of your overall dental goals
  • Recommended next steps

You can schedule an appointment over the phone at 614-486-7378 or fill out your patient information here.

It might not seem like a big deal to skip that regular checkup, but the without it, you will miss out on the many benefits to your oral and overall health. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” We hope to hear from you soon!

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