Regular dental checkups are an essential part of maintaining good oral health and preventing tooth decay. A dental checkup consists of two parts, an examination and a cleaning.
During the examination, Dr. Sabrina and Dr. Dhillon will examine your mouth for signs of cavities, plaque and tarter buildup. Next, X-rays will be taken to detect cavities in-between your teeth. Dr Sabrina and Dr Dhillon will then check your gums for signs of early gum disease by measuring the gum pockets around your teeth. All of this is done to ensure that any early signs of tooth decay or gum disease can be properly detected and treated, before they require more complicated and expensive procedures later on in the future.
Once the examination portion of the checkup is finished, the dentist will use a special tool to remove tartar and plaque buildup that brushing and flossing does not remove. By getting your teeth professionally cleaned, the chances of tooth decay and gum disease decrease significantly. If required your teeth will then be polished in order to remove unwanted stains.
Although visiting the dentist every six months may seem inconvenient, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. If considering to skip your dental checkup, make sure to consider all the risks.
Here are some of the most important reasons why you should see your dentist regularly:
Oral Cancer Detection
Oral cancer is a serious disease that is impossible to detect without the help of a dentist. Without knowing the exact signs of early onset oral cancer, it is often not possible to diagnose. The dentists at Kanaka Creek Family Dental (Maple Ridge) are highly trained to recognize the signs and with regular dental checkups every six months the likelihood of catching oral cancer in time is dramatically higher. Luckily at an early stage, oral cancer is easily treatable.
Preventing Tooth Decay
Even with daily brushing and flossing, there are still small areas in the mouth that are missed by regular brushing and flossing. Overtime plaque builds up in these areas, eventually solidifying and turning into tartar which is extremely difficult to remove without professional help.
Regular dental cleanings at Kanaka Creek Family Dental prevent tartar from eroding your teeth and creating small holes which is how tooth decay begins. Cavities do not have any early warning shows, once a dull ache begins the tooth is already decayed. This can all be prevented by regular cleanings that remove plaque and tartar before they become a problem. In the long run, cleaning appointments are actually more affordable than getting fillings.
Gum disease
Plaque and tartar buildup can also cause an infection in the gums around the tooth causing the gums to slowly erode over time. This infection is referred to as gingivitis and as it progresses the tissue that surrounds the teeth begins to breaks down. Once it reaches a certain point, it is known as gum disease. After this point, swelling, bleeding, and mouth soreness begin to occur. Further, gum disease can also cause the bone holding the teeth in place to breakdown. This can cause major problems such as teeth loosening or falling out completely requiring very expensive and complicated surgery. To avoid these large costs, regular dental checkups at Kanaka Creek Family Dental (Maple Ridge) are essential.
Checking your lymph nodes.
The dentists at Kanaka Creek Family Dental in Maple Ridge will also inspect your neck, jaw, and lymph nodes, located below your jaw for any swelling or pain. Although swollen lymph nodes may not seem like a major problem, they could be signs of other underlying health problems that require attention.
Saving money
By going to your regular dental checkups, your dentist can also recognize habits that maybe having a negative impact on your health that you may not even be aware of such s grinding your teeth, brushing your teeth too hard, or clenching your jaw. Your dentist in Maple Ridge can help you alter your habits or lifestyle choices to prevent further damage, and help you maintain good oral health. By keeping up with your dental checkups and oral health, you can save yourself money in the long run by catching issues early, while also giving yourself the peace of mind. If you would like to schedule a checkup, call our office in Maple Ridge at 778-401-4001 or book an appointment online now at www.kanakacreekdental.ca
