How can you protect your smile from cavities and gum disease? Brushing every day is one important step, of course, but you also need to make sure that your teeth and gums are being examined and cleaned regularly by a knowledgeable dental professional who has been trained to recognize even the smallest signs of oral health issues. Get in touch with us today to schedule your next checkup and cleaning with Dr. Clark.
You’ve likely already heard that you should visit the dentist twice a year plenty of times. But what makes these appointments so important? The answer can be summed up in one word: prevention.
When your dentist cleans your teeth, they get rid of any plaque and tartar that have accumulated. Removing these harmful substances reduces your risk for a variety of dental issues, such as severe toothaches.
Additionally, your dentist might find small cavities that have already formed in your enamel. If cavities are left alone, they will grow worse over time, causing you to eventually need root canal therapy or an extraction. But if the cavity is treated with a filling early on, you can avoid a worst-case scenario.
Finally, if you have dental insurance, then you should make a point of scheduling regular checkups and cleanings to make sure that your benefits don’t go to waste. Most dental plans will pay for two preventive dental appointments annually.
After asking you about any medications you’re currently taking or any recent changes to your medical history, our team will examine your teeth, gums, and jaw very carefully for concerning symptoms. We will also take X-rays of your mouth at least once a year (which, assuming you keep up with your biannual appointments, essentially means every other checkup).
If your smile is currently in good health, we will simply schedule your next preventive checkup. But if there are currently any issues with your oral health that should be addressed as soon as possible, we will go over your options for treatment and schedule follow-up appointments as needed.
Of course, there’s no reason for our team to simply look for dental problems when we can also take steps to make them less likely to happen to begin with. To help you maintain a healthy smile, we can perform a dental cleaning that includes the following steps:
