Did you know that over half a century ago, the oral examination of Americans enlisting in the military revealed widespread poor oral health? In truth, very few people back then practiced very good dental hygiene. With no recommended intervals between oral checkups, the situation was pretty dire. To make matter worse, there was a lack of preventative dentistry, with many dental offices focusing more on providing restorative service with treatment on existing issues.
After a while, the dental and medical communities agreed that it was time to establish guidelines for preventative oral care. Due to the preventability of cavities and gum disease in particular, it was established that patients should visit their dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings.
In high quality dentistry, brushing and flossing are considered the minimum requirements for proper oral hygiene. As a matter of fact, the best dentists recommend that regular checkups and cleanings as a top priority for optimal dental care.
In this post, we examine the importance of regular oral checkups and how they might improve your oral health. We also highlight a few family dentistry services offered by Discover Dental. We reveal why Discover Dental is the right dental office for Houston patients seeking the best dental services.
How frequently Should You Visit the Dental Office?
You should schedule a preventive care appointment with your dentist every six months. The reason why the American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist twice-yearly for oral checkups is because maintaining good oral health requires routine oral care. Regular visits to the dentist is generally accepted as routine dental care, even if you practice meticulous at-home dental hygiene. Dental problems that can’t be detected with the naked eye or felt may be detected by your dentist. The symptoms of oral issues are often not noticeable or painful until they have progressed significantly. Caries, gum disease, and even oral cancer are all examples of such oral problems that tend to become more noticeable only at advanced stages.
The earliest signs of disease can be detected with routine oral checkups. When problems are caught early enough, they are easier to resolve. Many people find that biannual visits to their dentist is more than enough. But for some patients, biannual visits may not be enough due to the severity of their oral issues. People who are more likely to suffer from a myriad of oral problems should schedule appointments more frequently than once every six months. These patients can visit their dentist every three to four months. However, patients with a very low risk of developing cavities or gum disease can get by with an annual dental checkup.
Those patients that fall under a high-risk category usually include:
- Smokers
- Expectant mothers
- Diabetics
- Chronic sufferers of gum disease
- Those with compromised immune systems and are less able to fight off bacterial infections
- Those who have a history of dental caries or plaque buildup
What can you Expect from a Trip to the Dental Office?
Examining for cavities is only one component of a full range oral checkup. You may expect your local dentist to check the health of your gums, examine your head and neck for anything out of the ordinary, and look in your mouth for signs of oral cancer, diabetes, or vitamin deficiencies during your regular checkup.
Don’t be shocked if your dentist also checks out your jaw joints (TMJs), which control jaw mobility, as well as your face, bite, saliva, and masticatory habits. After that, your dentist will give you a thorough deep cleaning and remind you of the necessity of taking care of your dentition in between sessions.
Plaque and tartar buildup are common areas of focus for many top dentists. This is due to the rapid accumulation of plaque and tartar if appropriate dental hygiene is not maintained in between professional deep cleanings. The right dentist will use the latest technology and specialized instruments to scrape tartar off your tooth during cleaning. This process is known as scaling.
Your dentition can be discolored when you smoke tobacco or regularly consume certain foods and drinks. Hard plaque forms on your dentition and irritates gums when the scaling of soft plaque is done on time. Eventually, the hardened plaque if left untreated will cause gum disease. Your dentist will examine your mouth, tongue, and throat at each of your scheduled oral checkups.
You can anticipate the following standard procedures during a oral exam:
- Deep Cleaning – A dentist or dental hygienist will remove the buildup of tartar and plaque by scraping below and along the gum line. Deep cleaning will prevent gum disease, cavities, poor breath, and other oral issues. The cosmetic dentist or dental professional will then floss, carry out teeth whitening and polishing procedures.
- Complete Dental Examination – Your dentist will check your dentition, gums, and entire mouth for any symptoms of illness or other abnormalities as part of a full oral examination. After an examination in the dental office, your dentist will then recommend the appropriate dental treatment.
- X-rays – X-rays can help detect issues like jawbone deterioration, impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts, decay, and tumors that would otherwise go undetected.
How to Maintain Oral health between Dental Treatment at a Dental Office
You should maintain good oral hygiene in between visits to the dentist. Note that plaque forms on teeth constantly, but it may be removed with frequent brushing and flossing. Some helpful home dental hygiene pointers to keep in mind before your next dental appointment are as follows:
- You should brush your teeth a minimum of two times daily. Just make sure you’re using fluoride-based toothpaste.
- Keep up a daily flossing routine.
- Plaque-causing microorganisms in your mouth can be reduced with the use of a mouthwash. This is also a great way to maintain minty fresh breath throughout the day.
Why a Visit to your Houston Dentist for Regular Dental Check up Near Me is Important
The main focus of dentists and other dental care providers is usually on much more than just tooth repair. Dentists do not only remove plaque and tartar from your dentition, but they also look for signs of abnormalities in your gums and mouth that could be indicative of a more serious health condition. Your dentist will check the condition of your jawbone and insist that you drop any bad habit that could be responsible for damaging your dentition and gums.
Putting off a scheduled oral care appointment may seem harmless at first, but you could be ignoring serious oral health problems without even knowing it. These oral health concerns could quickly escalate into more serious complications. You’ll be doing your health a huge favor in the long term if you maintain a regular dental examination and cleaning appointment.
General Dentistry by a Houston Dentist at Discover Dental
At Discover Dental, we are trusted providers of a host of general dentistry services in Houston. New patients can book a first appointment for themselves or their whole family for the following dental services:
Pediatric Dentistry
We are experts in pediatric dentistry with top dentists that know how to handle the unique oral needs of children of all ages. Additionally, our Houston based dentists have extensive experience with the special needs community as well as in behavior management for children of all age groups. Because early dental checkups can avoid future issues and help children become adjusted to the dentist’s office, it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) that children should visit the right dentist for a checkup by their first ever birthday.
There are several reasons why a child’s primary teeth (also known as baby teeth) are essential. For starters, they contribute to a baby’s ability to speak and eat. They also maintain space within the jaws allowing for permanent dentition to properly develop beneath them and not erupt crooked or misaligned.
Problems with one’s teeth might develop at any age. But while cavities can be avoided, they are five times more common in children than asthma. Your child can avoid future oral issues like cavities and other discomforts with the help of a pediatric dentist at our Houston dental office.
Regular Checkup and Dental Treatment
Proper oral care is essential to maintaining the health of one of your most important bodily organs, your mouth. Your dentist will look for symptoms of disease or damage to parts of your mouth including your gums and dentition during your scheduled dental checkup. They will also look for indicators of gum disease and tooth decay. Plaque and tartar buildup can be eliminated with professional cleaning, leaving your teeth feeling really smooth for great looking healthy smiles at all times.
Maintaining healthy dentition and gums requires regular dental examinations. But have no fear as regular oral checkups are an inexpensive, affordable way to prevent more costly dental work down the line. Seeing a dentist regularly will help you avoid cavities and keep your gums and dentition in good condition. No matter how meticulous one is about brushing and flossing their teeth at home, it is still important to regularly visit your dentist for a thorough examination, cleaning and teeth whitening service.
Dental Cleaning
Millions of microorganisms, some of which are quite innocuous, call your mouth home. Still, there are some bacteria that are known to cause cavities and gum disease. This is why maintaining a regular oral hygiene routine that includes plaque and tartar removal is crucial. Sticky bits of food, bacteria, and saliva form plaque. Unremoved plaque will eventually harden to form tartar, which can be hard to get rid of. If both plaque and tartar are left untreated, they can cause gum disease.
Dental cleaning is when our Houston dentist professionally cleans your dentition to remove plaque and tartar. In addition to this, we promote beautiful smiles by flossing and polishing your dentition. You can avoid gum disease with regular dental cleaning and this service may be long overdue if you have neglected your oral health for some time.
Checkups for Oral Cancer
Our Houston based top rated dentist will examine your throat, palate, tongue, gums, and lips as part of an oral cancer screening. The goal of checkups for oral cancer is to detect any potential malignancies or precancerous diseases at an early stage.
Although oral cancer is very rare, it is nevertheless vital to know the warning signals. A sore that that becomes ulcerated, red or white spots in the mouth or lumps, are all reasons to schedule an appointment with your dentist or doctor for oral cancer screening. You should have regular examinations for oral cancer since finding the disease early increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome from treatment.
FAQs About Regular Dental Check Up Near Me In Houston Texas
Is it really necessary to visit the dentist every six months?
Yes, it is crucial to have frequent dental checkups. Your dentition will be cleaned by a dentist, who also looks for cavities, and examines your mouth for any other issues during a regular checkup. Significant oral issues may be avoided in the future if this is done.
What may a patient anticipate from their first appointment with a dentist?
Dentists will typically inspect your dentition for cavities and other abnormalities while cleaning them completely during your checkup. They will also check the health of your gums. Always feel free to ask the dentist anything you want to know or address any concerns you may have.
When should you get your dentition cleaned by a professional?
The best way to get rid of plaque and tartar buildup and prevent the emergence of gum disease is to get a professional dental cleaning performed by a top-rated dentist. People who use braces, Invisalign, dentures, veneers or any other dental device should get their dentition cleaned professionally as well.
Discover Dental Home of the Best Dentists for a Full Range of Dental Treatment
Discover Dental is your one-stop shop for oral care in Houston, Texas. Patients of all ages can benefit from the high-quality general dentistry services provided by our skilled friendly staff. We are here for you whether you simply need your dentition cleaned or whether you require more extensive, but affordable dental work.
At Discover Dental, we tailor our services to each individual patient. Our patients have their own specific dental care requirements, and we make it our top priority to provide individualized care. In addition, we make an effort to know all our patients on a personal level. Our goal is to make you feel at home here. For more details about our cosmetic and family dentistry procedures and services, insurance, and payment plans, you can book an appointment online or call us today on tel: (713) 997-9390.
