Regular Dental Visits: Why They Are So Important for Your Oral Health

Regular dental visits are often recommended, but why are they so important? While many people only schedule dental appointments when they have a problem, preventative care can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining good oral health. There are several reasons why maintaining regular visits to your local dental practice is important.

One of the most important things your dentist will do at every check-up is to examine you for signs of mouth cancer, as well as head and neck cancer. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, nearly 54,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year, and only slightly more than half will be alive in five years. By conducting a thorough examination at every appointment, dentists can catch signs of cancer early and refer patients for further testing or treatment. This can potentially save your life.

Dental hygienists and therapists are often overlooked when it comes to our oral health, but they can be extremely valuable for both the services they can offer and the advice they can give. Dental hygienists are mainly concerned with ‘preventive’ dental health and treating gum disease – showing you correct home care and helping you to keep your teeth and gums healthy. This includes professionally cleaning your teeth (usually called a ‘scale and polish’) by removing plaque and tartar, both of which encourage tooth decay and gum disease. According to a study published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene, patients who received professional dental cleanings had a lower risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease compared to those who did not receive regular cleanings.

Tooth whitening has grown in popularity over recent years, but there are plenty of myths out there that can lead to confusion about what is safe, as well as issues of legality. Your dentist is in the best position to give you advice about your options when it comes to tooth whitening. They are in the best position because not only do they know a lot about teeth whitening but they are also the only place you can legally get your teeth professionally whitened. According to a study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice, patients who received professional teeth whitening treatments had significantly better results than those who used over-the-counter products.

Dentists can also catch dental issues early or prevent them from happening altogether. With just a mirror, you can see how your teeth are looking, but underneath your gums, a lot can be going on without you even realizing it. Potential problems they can spot include the onset of gum disease and dental decay. When it comes to your oral health, it is important to be proactive and see your dentist regularly so that they can catch any issues early before they become a problem. According to a study published in the Journal of Dental Research, people who visited the dentist at least once a year were more likely to maintain their natural teeth into old age.

Finally, your dentist can provide help and advice specific to your needs. Often when people have a problem, they turn to the internet, a place filled with lots of great information but also misinformation. On the other hand, a dentist has had to train for years to be qualified in the profession and can provide guidance you can trust. By visiting your dentist regularly, you can build a good relationship that will allow them to tailor advice and support specific to your needs over a long period of time.

In conclusion, regular dental visits are crucial for maintaining good oral health. By scheduling appointments at least once a year, you can catch potential issues early, receive preventative care, and get valuable advice from professionals. As the saying goes, prevention is always better than needing a cure, and when it comes to oral health, this couldn’t be more true.

Sources:

1. National Center for Biotechnology Information. The effectiveness of professional dental cleaning in preventing dental caries and periodontal diseases: a systematic review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6078544/. Accessed March 17, 2023.
2. American Cancer Society. Key statistics for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/oral-cavity-and-oropharyngeal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. Accessed March 17, 2023.
3. Journal of the American Dental Association. Accuracy and reliability of online resources for information about treatment of mouth ulcers. https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30419-7/fulltext. Accessed March 17, 2023.