Preventative Care: How Regular Checkups Can Save Your Teeth

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, only 65.5% of adults scheduled a dental exam or cleaning in the past year. As a result, adults of all age groups had more untreated dental caries than adolescents. Prioritizing preventive dentistry can protect your smile, prevent tooth decay, and boost your self-esteem.



Not convinced you need to visit your local dentist for personalized dental health tips? Read on to discover the importance of dental checkups before scheduling your next appointment!

Prevent Tooth Decay

According to the World Health Organization, untreated dental caries (tooth decay) is the most common health condition worldwide. In fact, oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people globally. About two million people suffer from caries of permanent teeth.

Recognizing the importance of dental checkups can help prevent tooth decay. During these routine appointments, the dental hygienist and dentist will assess your mouth, teeth, and gums. They'll look for common signs of tooth decay, such as:

• Toothaches/pain
• Tooth sensitivity
• Pain when chewing
• Brown, black, or white staining on a tooth
• Holes or pits in your teeth
• Mild or sharp pain when eating or drinking

After meals, food particles and bacteria mix with your saliva. Bacteria can feed off sugars and starches, allowing plaque to form. Plaque is a clear, sticky film that can coat your teeth.

Neglecting to brush and floss your teeth gives plaque time to harden into tartar. This creates a shield for bacteria, making it more difficult to remove plaque. 

You can't remove tartar from your teeth with your toothbrush. Instead, you'll need to visit your dentist to have your teeth professionally cleaned. Otherwise, acid from the bacteria will attack your tooth's outer enamel.

Holes will form (the first stage of cavities). Once the enamel is destroyed, the acid will attack the next layer of your teeth, causing sensitivity.

The damage may continue to your inner tooth material, where nerves and blood vessels are located, causing painful symptoms. You can learn more about the stages of tooth decay here.

One of the benefits of regular dental visits is prevention. Your dentist can spot early signs of decay to help you avoid damaging symptoms. They can recommend preventive measures, such as sealants and fluoride treatments, to protect your teeth.

Avoid Gum Disease

Plaque and tartar can coat your gums or hide between your teeth. As the bacteria spreads, your risk of gum disease (gingivitis) increases. Gingivitis can cause:

• Gums that recede from your teeth
• Loose teeth
• Pain when chewing
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Sensitivity
• Bad breath that doesn't go away
• Pus between your gums and teeth

Without proper treatment, the infection will continue below your gum line. Gingivitis may progress to its advanced stage, periodontitis. Developing periodontitis can increase your risk of losing teeth.

Severe gum disease is associated with serious health conditions like:

• Lung disease
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Heart disease

You can reduce your risk of gum disease by scheduling routine preventive dentistry appointments. Your New York dentist can remove plaque and tartar from your teeth before they can reach below the gum line. Consider scheduling appointments every six months to ensure early detection. 

Otherwise, the infection can spread, increasing your risk of serious complications and painful symptoms. You may require surgery and more expensive treatments. Scheduling regular dental checkups can help you avoid pain and unexpected dental expenses. 

Screen for Cancer

Routine appointments will allow your dentist to recognize early signs of oral cancer. These may include:

• Weight loss
• Ear pain
• Bleeding in the point
• Changes to your voice
• A sore throat
• Lumps, bumps, or swelling in the mouth
• A change in your bite
• Difficulty swallowing or chewing

If you experience these symptoms, let your dentist know right away. Scheduling regular dental checkups will ensure early detection, allowing you to receive treatment right away. 

Freshen Your Breath

A buildup of plaque, tartar, and bacteria can cause your breath to stink. Other causes of bad breath include:

• Poor oral hygiene practices
• Certain foods
• Incorrect cleaning of dentures
• Gum disease
• Use of tobacco products
• An underlying health condition
• Dry mouth
• Odor-causing bacteria on the tongue

To treat your bad breath (halitosis), your dentist must determine the underlying cause. Routine appointments mean better oral hygiene, which can help keep your breath fresh. 

Professional Resources

Remember, your toothbrush isn't always enough to clean away plaque and tartar. Your dental team will use professional-grade tools to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums. They can use dental X-rays to:

• Identify problems (bone loss, infections, cavities, etc.)
• Plan treatments (implants, dentures, etc.)
• Detect early problems
• Evaluate injuries

Scheduling dental X-rays can give you detailed insights into your oral health. Your dentist can use this information to develop a personalized dental care plan based on your needs.

Brighter Smiles

One of the great benefits of regular dental visits is their impact on your appearance. Routine cleanings can keep your teeth clean and healthy. Removing plaque and tartar can reduce your risk of yellowing or discoloration.

If you're concerned about the appearance of your teeth, talk to your dentist. They can recommend oral hygiene practices that will brighten your teeth. They may recommend a professional teeth whitening treatment to help you accomplish your smile goals. 

Gather Personalized Dental Health Tips

Instead of applying ineffective at-home dental health tips, consult your dentist. They can make personalized recommendations based on your oral health, goals, and concerns.

Routine visits can help you make informed changes to your oral health care routine. Following the best practices in preventive dentistry can help you avoid oral health problems and other complications. Scheduling appointments twice a year is more cost-effective than the multiple appointments you would need to fix a serious problem. 

Prioritize Preventive Dentistry

To recap, what's the importance of dental checkups? Using preventive dentistry can improve your oral health, protect your smile, and save you money. You can brighten your teeth and show off the smile you've always wanted with renewed self-confidence.

Ready to schedule your next checkup? Our team at Riverside Dental Care offers gentle treatments that will improve your overall health and well-being.

Discover our comprehensive treatments, expert preventive care, and compassionate team. Contact us now to schedule your appointment.