Why Are Dental Checkups Necessary?

Regular dental checkups are an important part of maintaining your dental health. These visits allow the dental team to check your mouth for early signs of dental problems, helping you maintain good oral health and catch problems early.

Main Function of Regular Dental Checkups

Your dentist will check for tooth decay and cavities at every checkup, but the main reasons for regular dental checkups are to check for gum disease and oral cancers. We will examine your gums for signs of periodontal disease at each visit and recommend treatment if necessary. We will also examine your mouth as a whole to look for any suspicious sores or discoloration that could be a sign of oral cancer. If we find anything unusual, he will refer you for further evaluation.

Dental Checkups Prevent Major Dental Problems

The American Dental Association recommends patients visit the dentist once every six months for a checkup and cleaning. These appointments allow dentists to check for signs of decay, infection, and disease, as well as help patients maintain optimal oral health. When these problems are caught early, they are much easier to treat. This not only preserves the health of a patient’s smile but also reduces the need for costly and invasive procedures. Patients of all ages can benefit from these visits, helping to ensure their smiles last a lifetime.

Regular dental cleanings also allow our dentists to polish away stains from the surface of teeth, improving the overall appearance and helping patients feel more confident in their appearance. Ultimately, dental checkups allow patients to enjoy their smiles to the fullest.

Routine Dental Exams Can Diagnose Underlying Health Issues

An oral cancer screening, for example, is a very important part of routine checkups. While oral cancer is treatable if detected early, the mortality rate for oral cancer is high. Unfortunately, many people with oral cancer don’t experience symptoms until it has spread to vital areas within the mouth and throat, such as the lymph nodes or jawbone. Oral cancer screenings can catch cancerous cells early enough to treat them effectively.

In addition, your dentist can perform a comprehensive exam of your teeth and check for signs of periodontal disease, tooth decay, and other conditions that can affect your oral health. X-rays can also reveal cavities and other issues that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

If your dentist spots any signs of developing issues, they can provide early intervention and prevent more serious oral health complications from arising in the future. These issues can include gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss; advanced periodontitis, which has been associated with heart disease and stroke; and chronic bad breath, which can negatively impact your personal and professional life. When caught early on, these issues can be treated and managed before problems become worse.

Dental Exams Are Essential for Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene

Routine checkups allow your dentist to monitor your dental health and detect any potential problems early before they cause discomfort or require more extensive treatment later on. During a checkup, your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, throat, and other soft tissues to look for signs of developing decay, gum disease, oral cancer, or other conditions that may affect your oral health. Then the dentist will clean your teeth and make any necessary repairs to damaged teeth. The dentist will also take the time to talk to you about your current hygiene habits and answer any questions you have about your current oral health.

Request an appointment or call Phoenix Family Dentistry at (602) 755-6684 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.