Dental checks ups are an essential part of your dental health. We recommend visiting your dentist at least every six months for your checkups, so we can ensure your mouth, teeth, and gums are healthy.
We are big advocates of preventative dentistry. We like to educate our patients on the benefits of visiting your dentist regularly, saving your natural teeth for as long as possible, and saving you money in the long run. At a checkup, we will:
- Examine your teeth for any signs of damage/wear (cavities, symptoms of plaque, bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Check your gums for signs of gum disease and other abnormalities
- Screen for Oral cancer
- Advise on your diet and lifestyle to help keep your natural teeth for as long as possible
Oral Cancer Screening
As you know, oral cancer is a severe disease and can manifest due to multiple reasons. Like any cancer, early detection is critical for a higher recovery rate (if left undiagnosed, it can become life-threatening).
Our highly trained dentists spot the early signs of oral cancer and make the necessary referrals quickly. Regular six-monthly checkups will help us to catch any changes that may be occurring in your mouth. If we are worried there is a chance of oral cancer, we will make the necessary secondary care referrals again.
What Is Preventative Dentistry
Preventative dentistry is practising a healthy oral hygiene routine and understanding how lifestyle choices can affect the health of our teeth.
Our teeth will naturally start to deteriorate and wear from the everyday stresses of life. Unfortunately, this is a natural process, but we are in complete control at which rate this happens. You will less likely suffer cavities, plaque build-up, or enamel wear with regular checkups. And you will be able to keep your natural teeth for as long as possible.
As a rule of thumb, when you start to experience dental pain, this is often the last sign that something has occurred in your mouth and will need a form of treatment. Regular visits to the dentist can pick up the early warning signs.
All About Cavities, Plaque and Tartar
Preventative dentistry is all about looking after your teeth to stop problems from developing. Many dental issues can start with plaque and tartar, which eventually become caries (cavities).
Plaque is a mass build-up of bacteria that forms on the surfaces of our teeth. It can be more challenging to reach or clean (especially if you don’t use dental floss). When plaque is left to build up, it eventually turns into a hard substance known as tartar or calculus. The best way to combat this at home is by brushing, flossing, and mouth wash.
We will tackle the tough deposits of plaque/tartar (on top of your daily morning/evening oral hygiene routines). Once tartar builds up, brushing can’t remove it. Attending your six-monthly checkups and routine hygiene appointments will help you keep this under control.
Plaque and tartar are such a big issue because they can cause gum irritation (leading to gum disease) and cause cavities in your teeth. A higher intake of sugary sweets and acidic drinks commonly causes cavities. Sugar is like food for bacteria. When consumed by bacteria, it produces acids that erode and dissolve the tooth enamel’s outer surface.
Cavities are very problematic for your overall dental health. They are holes in your teeth that bacteria can enter, which causes further complications and irritations, dental pain or abscesses.
If left untreated, you may require a root canal to clean the bacteria and infected nerve of the tooth out or perform the tooth extraction in the worst case.
As a rule of thumb, dental problems left untreated will get progressively worse and will require more treatment in the long run to achieve dental health.
We are proud to give our patients high-quality care, and we strive to keep your natural teeth for as long as possible. If you are worried about your dental health and would like some advice, please do not hesitate to book today for your dental assessment.