Going to the dentist is something that most people try to avoid at all costs. No one really enjoys sitting in a chair, waiting for the dentist to poke and prod around your mouth for an hour.
But if you don’t go to the dentist, you will regret it in the years to come.
So why should you visit your local dentist? And how often should you go? To answer these questions, let’s look into some of the more common dental issues and how often you can expect them to occur.
Emergency dentist visit
A dental emergency is any situation where the pain caused by the problem cannot wait until morning or until your regular dental office opens again. A dental emergency includes problems such as:
Pain or swelling in your mouth or lips
You can get a toothache, which is usually caused by an infection in the pulp of your tooth. The pulp, which contains nerves and blood arteries, is the soft tissue inside a tooth. It helps to support your tooth and give it strength.
A toothache can be caused by decay in a tooth, which causes damage to the pulp. It can also be caused by bacteria building up inside a gum pocket (periodontal pocket). In some cases, the infection may have spread to other parts of your body, such as your jawbone or sinuses.
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Cavities
Cavities are a common but serious problem. They can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss. If you notice a cavity, it’s time to see an emergency dentist. A cavity in your tooth is a hole in the enamel.
The enamel, the teeth’s outermost layer, gives them their shiny white appearance. Cavities can be found inside the tooth or just under the outer surface of the enamel.
The most common cause of cavities is bacteria in your mouth that feed on sugars found in foods and drinks such as soda, juice, and candy.
These bacteria produce acid that breaks down and weakens the enamel on your teeth over time unless you remove it by brushing and flossing regularly after every meal or snack.
Gum Disease
Gum disease (periodontal disease) refers to the infection of the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth. If you don’t treat it, it might lead to tooth loss.
Gum disease usually involves swelling and redness of the gums (gingivitis), which may bleed easily when you brush your teeth or floss them.
If this condition is not treated, it can progress to periodontitis, which causes the gums to pull away from the teeth and form pockets that collect bacteria. Bacteria in these pockets cause inflammation and damage the supporting bone around your teeth.
If left untreated for long periods of time, some bone loss may occur, and loose teeth may need to be removed surgically by an oral surgeon or periodontist.
Biannual Dentist Visits
If you have neglected your oral hygiene, then these visits may be more frequent than once every six months.
The dentist will determine how often you need to come in based on their findings at each visit as well as what condition your teeth are in overall.
The Importance of Biannual Dentist Visits
There are many reasons why dentists recommend biannual dental visits. The first is to examine your mouth and teeth for signs of decay or other problems that can develop over time.
A dentist will also take x-rays to ensure that there aren’t any hidden cavities or gum disease in your mouth. If problems are found during these visits, they can be treated before they become more serious issues down the road.
Furthermore, this type of examination allows a dentist to clean all of your teeth thoroughly with specialized tools that aren’t available at home.
These tools help remove plaque and tartar buildup from hard-to-reach places in the mouth, leaving you with clean teeth and fresh breath for months after the procedure is done.
You can also visit the dentist for crooked teeth alignment. Invisalign is an alternative to braces for straightening your teeth. It works by gradually moving your teeth into their correct positions through the use of removable, clear aligners.
You can wear the aligners for up to 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat and when brushing your teeth. When you have crooked teeth, you should get the best Invisalign dentist for the perfect outcome.
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What happens at a routine dental exam?
A routine dental exam is more than just checking your teeth and gums. During a typical checkup, your dentist will look for signs of oral cancer and other diseases, as well as evaluate your risk factors for periodontal disease, tooth decay, and other issues.
The following is a list of things that could happen during a routine dental exam:
- Examination of your teeth and gums
- Dental x-rays (if needed)
- Oral cancer screening
- Periodontal evaluation (gum disease)
- Caries assessment (tooth decay)
While it’s important to obey the orders from your dentist no matter how often you visit, twice a year should suffice for most individuals.
Of course, this will vary depending on each person’s needs and oral health. The only way to really know when you should be visiting the dentist is by making regular trips.
