Have you ever wondered why dental checkups are necessary? Perhaps you’ve even wondered if you actually need a dental checkup or maybe you’ve avoided the dentist altogether unless you have a problem with your teeth. Simply stated, everyone benefits from dental checkups, regardless of age or current level of oral health. In fact, here are five reasons why you need a dental checkup:
Prevents Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
The first reason why you need a dental checkup is to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. At every dental checkup, you can be sure that your dentist is looking for the presence of these two dental problems, as well as ways to prevent you from developing them. In fact, after having a dental checkup, your dentist will have their hygienist clean the excess plaque and tartar off the surface of your teeth in order to decrease the risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease.
Improves Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Another reason why you need a dental checkup is because your dentist helps you to improve your oral hygiene routine. During a dental checkup your dentist can tell if your oral hygiene routine is effective or if it needs some improvement. Then, they can provide you with advice about the proper dental supplies and techniques that will work best for your smile.
Screens for Oral Cancer
You also need a dental checkup because your dentist will screen you for oral cancer during your checkup. Oral cancer is any cancer affecting the lips, tongue, gums, inner cheeks, hard or soft palate, or pharynx. Oral cancer has the best treatment outcomes when caught early, which is why your dentist will screen your mouth for tissue discoloration or abnormal texture that could indicate the presence of oral cancer.
Identifies Problems Before They Cause Problems
Another reason why you need a dental checkup is because dental checkups allow your dentist to identify potential problems before they actually occur. One example of this is that your dentist can identify signs of demineralization, which starts just before a cavity forms. By treating the tooth with fluoride, your dentist may be able to remineralize the enamel and prevent the cavity from forming. Even in cases where the problem cannot completely be prevented, it can still be treated much easier when caught early.
Saves You Money
Finally, you need dental checkups because they can save you money in the long run. For starters, dental checkups help to prevent serious dental issues that can jeopardize your oral health. Additionally, dental checkups also identify possible dental issues in the earliest stages, which allows your dentist to treat them with less invasive and costly treatments.
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.
