You have probably heard the rule from family or from a dentist that you should see a dentist every 6 months, or twice a year. Why does that rule exist? What happens if you wait longer?
There are a couple of main reasons why seeing the dentist every six months is important:
- Decay can be caught early
- Dental cleanings keep your teeth healthy and shiny
- Exams help keep you updated on the state of your smile
- You can build a relationship with your dentist
Let’s look a bit closer at each reason why you should come see Dr. Martin in Lafayette, CO, or a dentist near you.
Prevent Decay
Decay moves fairly slowly through your smile, especially if you are caring for your teeth as you should. Every 6 months is the perfect time for us to catch cavities or other damage while it is small, so we can repair it without extensive dental work.
If you are experiencing tooth wear and tear, we can make recommendations to fix it, such as a night guard or bite adjustments, before it permanently changes how you smile and how your teeth work.
Stay Healthy with Cleanings
While you don’t need a professional cleaning every night, a routine cleaning removes the plaque and tartar that builds up on your teeth that your home toothbrush can’t reach. If left without routine professional cleaning, this tartar can begin to cause cavities, sensitivity, and gum disease.
Dentists have determined that once every 6 months is enough to keep your teeth clean without having you come in for unnecessary appointments.
Exams from a Professional
You can’t know if you have a perfectly healthy smile or have a cavity without a bit of help from Dr. Martin. Regular exams are essential to early detection and prevention of many dental issues, including oral cancer and gum disease. While you may notice symptoms at home, a proper diagnosis with special dental tools and a trained eye is essential in making sure that you have a healthy smile.
The peace of mind from a dental exam is worth the regular visits!
Build a Relationship with Us
Building a relationship with your dentist can help you feel more comfortable when you visit our office. Relationships are especially important if you have a dental emergency or a dental concern and you need someone to talk to. If you know your doctor, calling them to talk about your concern or handle your emergency might not be intimidating.
You can trust that your dentist knows you and your health history if you are seeing them routinely.
The Risks of Skipping a Dental Visit
Dental visits are often the last thing on people’s minds. But skipping a dental appointment can lead to:
Costly Treatment
If an issue is not addressed quickly, it can require more than a quick cavity fix. A tooth infection can cause widespread damage, requiring gum disease treatment, root canals, or even implants. While those can be great treatments, they are more time-consuming and costly than just a cavity filling or a reminder to brush your teeth more often.
Permanent Damage to Your Smile
Once tooth decay has damaged your tooth, it is permanent. Routine cleanings prevent cavities from forming.
We can also catch minor issues and give you advice on how to completely fix or at least manage the issues as they are before they get worse. For example, gingivitis is not permanent and it doesn’t cause permanent damage to your smile, but once it advances to periodontal disease it causes irreversible damage.
Schedule Your Routine Exam and Cleaning Today
Dr. Martin at James Martin, DMD, loves to see patients for their routine cleanings and exams. He wants to get to know you. When you come in for an exam he can make sure that any dental work you have had done is still functioning, offer an exam, and give suggestions on how you can improve your smile’s health. Call today to schedule a routine 6-month appointment!
