Maintaining gum and teeth health means knowing when you need the dentist. Most people will assume every 6 months or twice a year is good. It, however, depends more on the age and general health of the person  than on no other than. Failure to keep proper teeth health may escalate and decrease the dentist’s margins for costs.

The general recommendation is every 6 months for check-ups. This allows for the increased detection of gum disease, and for any cavities. General examinations allow for the professional cleaning of the paperwork and the discount of any tartar. It is a good recommendation to keep the workouts to twice a year and on a maintenance program to keep small repairs from escalating in any way.

Why Regular Checkups Are Important

First, there are the purely custodial services, such as keeping teeth clean, that are part of the dental office visit. In addition, there are important screening services that the dentist provides, such as checking for signs of oral cancer, jaw alignment, and even some conditions like diabetes and other deficiencies such as vitamin deficiencies. Even gum plaque, that seems benign, is a precursor for systemic diseases like cardiovascular diseases, and, eventually, periodontal diseases. Regular dental visits thus serve the interest of general health.

In the specific situation of dental care, some other problems occur because they are not managed in a proactive way. Cavities do not cause pain until decay approaches the inner chambers of the tooth. In the same way, gum diseases can progress undetected and, eventually, cause teeth to be lost. Appointments should be kept in order to mitigate the risk of these problems overtaking the system, since it is much more costly to manage when that occurs.

What to Expect During a Checkup

Most dental exams consist of visual exams, digital X-rays, professional cleaning, and tailored checkup recommendations. The dentist in Fairfax, VA will remove plaque, assess gum condition, check your bite, and determine whether you need orthodontic referrals. These appointments are also great times to talk about your brushing and flossing routines and the foods you eat to strengthen your teeth and gums.

Most other patients will most likely need preventive dental care every six months, but patients with specific oral and other systemic conditions will need care more frequently. Checkups enable the dentist to keep your mouth clean and identify any early changes that suggest the onset of a more serious condition. The more you do to care for your teeth today, the healthier your smile will be and the fewer problems you will have to deal with tomorrow.