It’s National Dental Hygiene Month, and that means it’s time to focus on the importance of oral health! A dental exam and cleaning are essential parts of a good oral hygiene routine. Despite this fact, a lot of people put off going to the dentist. However, there are a lot of reasons why you should make an appointment today. In this blog post, we’ll discuss dental exams and cleanings, as well as five reasons why you need them.
What are dental exams and cleanings?
Dental exams are an opportunity for your dentist to check for any problems with your teeth, gums, and mouth. They usually include a visual exam, X-rays, and a cleaning. Dental cleanings are performed by dental hygienists and remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. Tartar is plaque that has hardened onto your teeth.
Why should you get a dental exam and cleaning?
There are a lot of reasons why you should make sure to schedule a dental exam and cleaning every six months. Here are five of the most important ones:
- To prevent tooth decay and gum disease
- To maximize your oral hygiene routine
- To get screened for oral cancer
- To have potential problems identified before they cause problems
- To save money
Let’s take a closer look at each of these reasons.
To prevent tooth decay and gum disease
One of the most important reasons to get a dental exam and cleaning is to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque and tartar can lead to both of these problems. tooth decay is the destruction of tooth enamel, which can lead to cavities. Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can cause them to pull away from the teeth, leading to bone loss and tooth loss.
To maximize your oral hygiene routine
Another reason to get a dental exam and cleaning is to make sure that your oral hygiene routine is as effective as possible. Your dentist can give you tips on how to brush and floss correctly and identify any areas that you may be missing.
To get screened for oral cancer
Oral cancer is a serious problem, but it is also one that can be treated if it is caught early. During a dental exam, your dentist will check for any signs of oral cancer.
To have potential problems identified before they cause problems
Dental exams can also identify potential problems before they cause pain or other issues. For example, your dentist may find a small cavity during an exam and recommend that you have it filled. Some early signs of decay can even be reversed by using fluoride to repair damaged enamel. This is much less expensive and painful than waiting until the cavity gets bigger and requires a root canal.
To save money
Finally, getting a dental exam and cleaning every six months can actually save you money in the long run. As we mentioned, problems like cavities and gum disease can be treated before they become more serious and expensive to treat. In addition, having a good oral hygiene routine can prevent these problems from developing in the first place.
In Conclusion
In this blog post, we’ve discussed dental exams and cleanings and five reasons why you need them. These are just a few of the reasons why you should make sure to schedule a dental exam and cleaning every six months. Don’t wait until you have a problem to see the dentist. Make an appointment today and help keep your mouth healthy!
Dr. Admar holds dual certificates — a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) in 2010 from India and a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) in 2014 from Canada. He is now a full time practicing dentist in Kamloops where he provides a variety of services, including emergency dentistry. Dr. Admar spends hundreds of hours in continued dental education to stay up to date in cosmetic and implant dentistry and he has achieved several advanced qualifications.
