Routine visits to your family dentist are necessary to live a healthy life, but many people dread making an appointment. Although it can be uncomfortable or bring feelings of anxiety, your dentist can clean your teeth more deeply and thoroughly than you can at home. Regular dental care also helps prevent worse health consequences. Dental checkups provide access to both preventative and restorative services, making them an important part of your oral health. Below are a few indications that it is time to give your dentist a call.
There are many different reasons to schedule a dentist appointment. Here are three specific items that signal that it is time to take a trip to the family dentist.
At a minimum, you should visit your dentist once per year. If you look at your calendar and realize that you have not had an appointment in over a year, it is time for you to schedule. Dentists can clean your mouth in a way that you cannot. They can remove plaque and tartar at a level that general toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash do not achieve. Dental cleanings also get to those harder-to-reach places that need just as much attention., so it is essential that you make at least one visit every year.
Should a dentist find serious issues with your mouth, you may be requested to make a follow-up appointment or to schedule checkups more often. There are four types of cleanings that can be performed, with each one being a little more involved than the one before. A routine cleaning is called prophylaxis cleaning, which simply means it is designed to prevent disease. If daily dental hygiene is not your strong suit, you could need a more thorough cleaning.
Another sign that it is time to see a dentist is when your gums look irritated or bleed easily. Gum inflammation, tenderness, and bleeding are all possible signs of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Generally, this issue is treatable and fully reversible so long as you catch it early on during the gingivitis stage. Your dentist can recommend ways to properly care for your gums at home to keep later, less-treatable stages of periodontal disease from occurring. Your family dentist can also thoroughly clean your teeth and gums during an office visit, giving your gums a fresh start and reducing the risk of further infection.
A scaling and root planing cleaning typically occurs when a dentist needs to treat periodontitis and gingivitis. It can be done in just one appointment if the buildup and gum pockets are not too severe. The dental team uses special tools to scale off the plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth, and out from below the gumline. Root planing is used to smooth out the tooth roots and encourage the gums to reattach to the teeth. If the gum disease has progressed or the teeth are severely covered with plaque and tartar, the dentist might require periodontal maintenance cleanings or a gross debridement cleaning.
Sudden or worsening tooth pain or sensitivity suggests that you should see your dentist as well. Cavities, cracked or broken teeth, and exposed dentin cause unpleasant sensations and may lead to worse complications. If you develop a toothache or your teeth begin to react undesirably to cold, hot, or acidic foods, you should make an appointment right away. Sometimes pain and sensitivity occur before a cavity has fully formed. Spots that are close to becoming cavities are called pre-cavities. They often look extra white, chalky, or discolored. Your dentist might pay extra attention to these areas or put a watch on them. Generally, pre-cavities are faster and easier to care for than fully-formed cavities, so the sooner your dentist finds them, the better. Swifter treatment usually means you spend less money and time as well.
Taking good care of your mouth is essential for living a long, happy, healthy life, and you need your family dentist to do it properly. If you notice you have not been to the dentist in a while or you start showing signs of tooth or gum problems, it is time to put your mouth and your health in your dentist's hands. Finding a dentist that you trust in a location that is convenient to your home or job makes it a lot easier to schedule appointments twice a year.
Request an appointment here: https://www.yourdowntownmckinneydentist.com or call Sam Patel DDS, PA at (972) 638-5848 for an appointment in our McKinney office.
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