Why Regular Dental Check-Ups Are Essential
Routine dental check-ups provide a dental health foundation that is strong enough to support a lifetime of good oral health. Visiting the dentist for regular exams and dental hygiene appointments can help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health for life.
The Importance of Regular Dental Check-Ups
Regular dental check-ups are essential to oral health because they provide so many health benefits to patients.
Preventing Dental Health Problems
Regular dental check-ups are intended to prevent a range of oral health problems with a combination of preventive treatments and early detection through frequent examination.
Avoiding Costly and Invasive Dental Treatments
Preventing oral health problems with preventive dental treatments and keeping any problems that do arise from worsening through early detection saves patients the cost, stress, and pain of undergoing more invasive, extensive, and expensive treatments for complex or severe oral health problems.
Protecting Your General Health
Routine dental visits also protect your general health by preventing the development of periodontal disease (gum disease). Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the gums that has strong correlations with a whole host of system illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, and cancer just to name a few.
Learning to Care for Your Teeth at Home
During routine dental visits, our team provides our patients with at-home oral hygiene coaching, training, and recommendations. This guidance is personalized and tailored to each patient’s age, oral health needs, and goals.
What Happens During a Routine Dental Examination?
Routine dental appointments provide a multifaceted approach to dental care with a combination of examination, treatment, and education. Each appointment includes the following:
Professional Teeth Cleaning (Prophylaxis)
Dental check-ups include a professional teeth cleaning during which a dental hygienist uses special tools and gentle touch to scale and polish a patient’s teeth. This cleaning removes plaque and calculus (tartar) that has accumulated on the surfaces of the tooth enamel.
Professional cleanings are vital in the prevention of tooth decay, cavities, and periodontal disease by promoting the health of the gums and strength of the tooth enamel.
Dental X-Rays
X-ray images (radiographs) allow us to view the internal structures of the patient’s mouth, inside the teeth and below the gum line, to screen for early indications of oral health problems.
Preventive Treatments
Routine dental visits also provide us the opportunity to administer highly effective preventive dental treatments such as fluoride and dental sealants.
Dental Hygiene Guidance
Dental check-ups are also a prime opportunity for patient education and oral hygiene guidance. We provide patients with personalized recommendations designed to improve the at-home care of their teeth.
Detecting Issues Early: A Key Preventive Measure
Regular dental check-ups are an opportunity to detect problems early on. Many oral health concerns, especially tooth decay, periodontal disease, and oral cancer, are most effectively addressed when diagnosed early.
Personalized Preventive Plans
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to preventive dental care. For this reason, The American Dental Association generally recommends that normal, healthy patients visit the dentist once or twice a year for a routine dental check-up and cleaning. However, patients who are at high risk of developing oral health problems or who have existing oral health problems should schedule appointments at the frequency recommended by their dental care provider.
Our dentist works with each patient to provide personalized preventive dental care, treatment recommendations, and at-home oral hygiene guidance. Personalized care plans are intended to address the unique needs of each patient while helping them achieve and maintain optimal oral health based on their current oral health, treatment goals, lifestyle, and budget.
Due for Your Next Dental Check-Up? Schedule an Appointment With Our Elgin Area Dentist Today!
At Bright Valley Dental, our dentist and dental care team are here to support you and your oral health. We offer comprehensive preventive dental care, including dental check-ups with professional teeth cleaning, oral hygiene recommendations, and more. We work with each patient individually to provide preventive dental care tailored to meet their needs.
To learn more or request an appointment with Dr. Varma, we welcome you to contact our dental office in Elgin today.
FAQ
Dental implants can last 15 to 20 years or even longer with proper care and maintenance.
The dental implant procedure is performed by providing local anesthesia, which minimizes the discomfort during the process. Some soreness or discomfort may occur during the healing period, but it can be managed with pain medication.
While many individuals are candidates for dental implants, a thorough evaluation by a dentist or oral surgeon is necessary to determine suitability. Factors like overall health, jawbone density, and oral hygiene habits may influence candidacy.
