Every six months, patients should schedule an appointment with their dentist for a checkup and cleaning. For many people, visiting the dentist is something they avoid until an oral health issue arises. Though you may think that this is saving you time and money, it may end up costing you in the long run. Read on to learn four reasons why the early detection of oral health problems is such an important part of maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile.
Reason #1: Keep Developing Problems in Check
Though brushing your teeth twice per day and flossing each night are key to keeping your oral health in check, visiting your dentist for biannual dental appointments is also important. During these appointments, your dentist does a thorough examination of your mouth to catch oral health issues early on. Your teeth will also be cleaned to remove buildups of plaque and tartar, which lowers your risk of oral health issues.
Reason #2: Lower Oral Health Expenses
The longer you wait to have oral health issues treated, the more expensive they will become. This is because things like deep infections will require a root canal, which is virtually painless due to modern technology but costs more than taking care of your teeth to avoid this issue in the first place. Additionally, dental insurance plans usually cover two preventive checkups per year.
Reason #3: Stay Pain-Free
Though a small cavity may not hurt very much initially, leaving it untreated may eventually lead to severe decay or a tooth infection. If the infection gets bad enough, your only shot of saving the tooth will be a root canal. If the tooth is too damaged to be saved, your dentist may recommend having it extracted. This issue won’t go away on its own and can’t be treated with antibiotics, the early detection of oral health problems by visiting your dentist twice per year is key to avoiding serious complications.
Reason #4: Identify and Treat Life-Threatening Diseases
Along with cavities, biannual oral health exams also allow your dentist to identify things like gum disease and oral cancer. Left untreated, these issues can do a lot of damage to the oral cavity and even cause problems in other parts of the body. Detecting these issues early on gives you a better chance of keeping them in check.
As you can see, early detection of oral health problems allows you to save time, money, and discomfort in the long run. So, if it’s been more than six months since you’ve seen your dentist, contact them to set up an appointment so you can keep your smile looking its best!
About the Practice
Dr. Gabriel A. Nossa leads a team of Gainseville oral health professionals who go out of their way to ensure that patients feel comfortable and well cared for throughout their dental appointments. They offer services to help with the early detection of oral health problems, such as checkups, cleanings, and oral cancer screenings. If you want to make an appointment with Dr. Gabriel A. Nossa or want more information, visit his website or call his office at (352) 332-8133.