August 14, 2018 / by Emma Jones

In today’s busy world, many of us find it hard to fit yet another appointment in our tight schedules. Such is the case with dentist visits, which many of us tend to put off until we get a serious toothache that no over-the-counter pain reliever can soothe. But in reality, health experts recommend visiting your dentist at least two times a year. Having regular 6-months dental check-ups will not only help prevent bad toothaches from ever occurring, but it also plays a major role in maintaining your overall health. If you’re long overdue for your check-up, here are some valid reasons to schedule an appointment today.

Plague and Tartar Removal

Even if you brush, floss and rinse regularly, it’s still hard to properly clean all those hard-to-reach spots between teeth. Over time, this results in the build-up of plague – a sticky, yellow deposit of biofilm that covers your teeth. Not only does plague make your teeth look unattractive, but if left untreated, it can turn into tartar, a solidified layer of bacteria that erodes teeth and creates cavities. While plague can be easily removed at home with a special scraper, removing tartar is more difficult and it requires visiting one of the many reputable dental clinics in your city. Keeping your teeth free from plaque and tartar is the most effective measure for preventing tooth decay.

Treating Cavities

But if the tartar build-up has already affected the health of a tooth and caused cavities, treating it on time can save the tooth from needing to be removed. If the tooth is not decayed to a really bad extent, placing a dental filling is a quick and non-invasive way to repair its state. On the other hand, if there’s more serious decay, you may need a crown. Crowns are custom-fitted caps that replace the natural tooth crown. Today, dental clinics offer zirconium dental crowns that are indistinguishable from natural tooth enamel. If the tooth is severely infected, the dentist may also perform a root canal which is a treatment that removes the diseased tooth pulp.

Controlling Gum Disease

Not only do plaque and tartar cause cavities, but they may also lead to gum disease, or gingivitis, which is a very serious infection of the gums. Once your gums are inflamed they become sore, bleed easily and eventually start to pull away from the teeth. Untreated gum disease develops into periodontitis, which is the main cause of tooth loss among adults. Besides plague and tartar, gum disease may appear due to genetic predisposition, smoking, or certain dietary habits, which means everyone is at risk. A dentist can diagnose and control gum disease before it develops into periodontitis. Regular dentists are important because in its early stages, gum disease can be easily reversed.

Early Detection of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a serious disease which is often left undiagnosed and can quickly progress and become life-threatening. But if it’s caught early on, it is often easily treatable. Because they perform an oral cancer screening of your mouth during a routine check-up, dentists are usually the first people to detect oral cancer, even in its early stages when the signs are very easy to miss. Even if you do not experience symptoms or notice any oral abnormalities, your dentist definitely will. Considering this, regular visits to the dentist can literally save your life!