16 Apr Do I Really Need to Get Dental Checkups Every Six Months?
Patients with busy professional and personal schedules find it difficult to squeeze in a visit with the family dentist every six months, so they sometimes ask if it’s really necessary to see the dentist so often.
The answer is yes. It is essential to see your dentist twice a year to keep potential oral health problems in check and maintain an attractive smile.
These routine appointments are just as important to your oral health as your daily brushing and flossing routine.
At these visits, the family dentist will thoroughly examine your mouth to look for any symptoms of conditions like tooth decay and gum disease. If you stick to six-month intervals, your dentist will be able to spot these problems when they are most easily—and least invasively—treated. [pullquote]These routine appointments are just as important to your oral health as your daily brushing and flossing routine.[/pullquote]
The thorough cleanings you receive from the dental hygienist are also important in keeping oral diseases at bay. Even the most diligent brushers and flossers cannot clear all of the plaque from their mouth, and a hygienist can use professional tools and more complete access to the mouth to clean away the materials that remain. When plaque and tartar build up, more oral bacteria are present, and these are the same bacteria that cause cavities and gum diseases.
Regular checkups also give your dentist an opportunity to check for oral cancer. When this condition is diagnosed early, it can literally save your life. An oral surgeon can remove the tumor and you can get treatment for the cancer before it has a chance to spread. Unfortunately, the five-year survival rate for oral cancer is 57 percent, and this is mostly due to late-stage diagnosis, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation.
Ultimately, finding time for your routine dental appointments will save you time and money that might be spent on more extensive treatments that advanced oral diseases would require in the long run. Keep that in mind when you are scheduling these important appointments to maintain your oral health.
Contact the office of Dr. Philip R. Kozlow to schedule your 6 month check-up today.