It’s often stated that twice a year, you should visit a dentist. In case of uncertainty about any dental issue, this is a good rule. But, if you want to know how frequently a dental checkup is necessary, it would depend on your oral hygiene or any of your dental problems.
While many people believe that visiting a dentist should be done every six months, others miss this dental practice. However, it’s still a subject of dispute whether these biannual checks are actually required.
Occasionally, dentists may suggest biannual checkups and cleanings, while others will recommend just yearly visits. If you have a chronic dental health problem, your dentist may recommend more regular visits. To give more enlightenment about when you should see a dentist, keep reading for more information.
Why You Should Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months
Regular dental exam is critical for keeping healthy teeth and gums. The American Dental Association advises seeing a dentist at least once a year, but scheduling an appointment every six months may help avoid various oral health issues.
Dentists usually recommend that patients come for checks every six months. This is often because a six-month period appears to be the ideal time to identify any potential issue regarding tooth health. Although this is suggested by dental experts, the recall time for dental appointments will depend on patient requirements.
While prevention is usually accomplished via a semi-annual examination and dental prophylaxis, referred to as a ‘six-month recall.’ Here are other essential dental procedures that can be done every six months:
- Check and update your medical and dental history
- Oral screening for cancer
- Teeth and gum exam to check for cavities or other diseases
- Radiographical examination
Your dental checkup twice a year will prevent the decline of your teeth by enhancing your oral health and reversing the effects of plaque accumulation. Tooth decay frequently causes discomfort and tooth cavities and may even irritate gums if left untreated.
In addition, before a severe problem develops, dentists can stop the first symptom of gum disease. Your dentist may detect the earliest signs of gum disease years before becoming a severe issue, such as untreated discomfort, bone loss, edema, and loss of teeth.
A competent dentist will advise methods to avoid gum disease, including frequent cleaning, using mouthwash, flossing, and brushing by a dental hygienist. Also, the latest dental technologies help patients through less invasive dental procedures. So, no need to worry if you have a fear of seeing a dentist as there are painless procedures available now.
Imagine how you can save your money in the long term when you visit your dentist every six months for early identification of oral issues. Regular teeth care and maintenance lower the risks of gum disease and tooth decay.
Other Signs You Should Visit Your Dentist
It’s easy to put off dental problems that appear to be minor.. until they become worse than you’ve ever imagined. While oral discomfort occasionally goes away by itself, oral pain may lead to severe dental problems. If your discomfort prevents you from performing daily tasks, then it’s time for you to schedule a visit to the dentist.
The following warning signs shouldn’t be taken lightly:
1. Swelling And Tooth Pain
This section emphasizes that toothache shouldn’t be overlooked. An urgent indication to see your dentist is a toothache that won’t go away. If you have a swelling in your cheeks or around the region that aches, this is probably a symptom of root infection that your dentist needs to address. Continuous tooth pain and swelling are frequently indications of a deeper issue. Usually, the discomfort only becomes worse when left unmanaged.
Some people self-medicate by taking over-the-counter analgesic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) when they have tooth pain or swelling. However, this solution only provides temporary pain relief. The pain and swelling can return if the main source of the problem won’t be detected and addressed. Only a qualified dentist can diagnose and confirm your dental health problem that’s causing the swelling or tooth pain.
2. Swollen Or Bleeding Gums
If every time you brush your teeth or floss your gums bleed or become swollen, it’s a symptom of possible gum disease. Note that occasional gum bleeding is, generally, no cause for concern. But, still, permanent bleeding may be a symptom of a more severe problem. If you detect a tooth abscess, an early visit is required.
So, if you have bleeding gums, don’t ignore them. Otherwise, you’ll have more complicated dental and health problems. Proper diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial. Your dentist will conduct a thorough oral inspection and ask you when the bleeding started, the bleeding frequency, and location, among other things.
Your dentist needs do undertake further treatments for severe gum diseases. These include infection, existence of germs, and plaque that may develop underneath the gums. Expert deep cleansing and scaling arrangements will be needed for your gum health to be restored. Also, try to observe additional warning symptoms of gum disease, such as redness, swelling and irreversible loss of teeth.
Luckily, in many instances, you may avoid swelling of the gum through excellent oral hygiene, including frequent brushing and flossing, and, of course, routine checkups with a dentist.
3. Dry Mouth
There are many contributory factors to dry mouth. Many over-the-counter medications can cause a dry mouth, such as decongestants, pain medications, antihistamines, and muscle relaxants. Medical conditions, including diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and oral thrush, can also cause dryness of the oral cavity.
Saliva is what lubricates the mouth, washing away food particles and neutralizing plaque-generated acids. If your mouth is very dry, it may be a symptom of a disease. You’re vulnerable to illness and tooth decay when your mouth stops generating enough saliva.
Aside from the fact that it neutralizes acids, it also helps digest food and impacts your taste. Therefore, visiting a dentist can identify what causes your mouth to dry out and recommend methods to restore humidity and preserve your teeth. Your dentist may suggest treatment or prescribe specific mouthwashes for dry mouth mitigation.
Lifestyle modification can help relieve dry mouth and improve your overall health. So, your dentist may also suggest ways to relieve dry mouth in case you experience the same problem again. Some examples include staying hydrated, quitting smoking, using a dehumidifier, and avoiding caffeinated beverages.
4. Bad Breath
Halitosis is an oral health issue characterized by foul-smelling breath as the primary symptom. Identifying the source of the bad breath is often the first step in treating this avoidable disease. There are many reasons for bad breath, just as there are numerous bacteria-producing sources in the mouth. Halitosis may be brought on by the poor oral hygiene, tongue bacteria, improper cleaning of dentures, oral cancer, irritated gums, the smell of cigarettes, etc.
Dentists can diagnose halitosis. The diagnosis is made after thoroughly examining the patient’s history and mouth odor during the dental checkup. The whole mouth is examined to see whether or not a reason can be identified, such as an infection. If your dentist can’t find the reason, you’ll get a referral to a specialist, such as a physician.
Conclusion
Some oral health issues may only be diagnosed by a dental expert. Dentists are available if you have issues with oral health, including preventive care that aims to prevent severe infections in your mouth, such as gum disease and tooth decay. Prevention is always better than cure. Therefore, visiting a dentist for prevention or when early symptoms persist is the rule of thumb for your oral and dental care.