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  • How Often Do I Need a Dental Checkup?

    How often do I need a dental check-up?

    According to the American Dental Association, it is important for everyone to brush their teeth at least twice a day, replace their toothbrush every three months and visit their dentist no less than twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. These guidelines have been put in place to help people maintain good oral health, and following this simple formula can help you avoid painful and embarrassing dental problems in the future.

    Why is good oral health so important?

    There is a long list of reasons that can be referenced to showcase the importance of good oral health, including the fact that oral infections can have a negative impact on the rest of your body. Additionally, failure to visit your dentist regularly can allow serious dental issues to develop that could have otherwise been completely prevented or halted early enough to avoid any long-term damage. Keep in mind that some individuals should actually go in for a checkup more than twice a year. For example, people who smoke or who have diabetes, gum disease or a weak immune response need to get a checkup every three to four months.

    How can regular checkups provide me with good oral health?

    Although your genetics do play a role in your oral health, developing a regular dental checkup routine will dramatically reduce your risk of dealing with everything from a simple cavity to gum disease. It is important to note that seeing your dentist regularly makes it much easier for minor problems to be detected, and a dental exam can also lead to the discovery of other health complications such as oral cancer. Ultimately, the health of your teeth, gums and the rest of your body can be negatively impacted if you do not get a checkup at least twice per year.

    What can happen if I have poor oral health?

    Teeth are very important for eating and aesthetic purposes, but you can easily lose them to gum disease if you do not take proper care of your oral health. You could also end up dealing with extremely painful gum and teeth problems, and a major health issue such as oral cancer could be caught too late if you do not go to the dentist every six months.

    A regular checkup usually involves a visual and x-ray inspection of your teeth. It is also common for your teeth to be cleaned during these visits. If a problem is found that needs to be corrected, you will most likely need to schedule a follow-up appointment to get everything taken care of. The professional oral health team at Emerald Dental Care is available to perform regular checkups, and we are also properly equipped to handle a long list of other dental services.

    If you have questions about your dental check-up, contact our Willoughby dental office at 440-944-2200 to learn more.

    Posted November 23, 2020 by Emerald Dental Care