It’s easy to forget how simple it is to take good care of our teeth. At home, a basic routine of brushing twice a day and flossing once a day can make all the difference. And with bi-annual checkups, you can better ensure your teeth will last a lifetime!
The Basics of Dental Checkups
Visiting the dentist every six months is a small sacrifice of time for big rewards. These checkups includes a cleaning and oral exam by your dentist, during which they will check various aspects of your oral health. This of course includes your teeth and gums but also includes your cheeks, tongue and mouth in general.
Caring for Healthy Teeth
If you’ve had previous dental work, the dentist will ensure those fillings or restorations are in top condition. Fillings and other work can wear away over time, chipping or cracking because of the constant pressure of chewing, grinding or clenching. Chips, cracks and other problems can further detriment your oral health, as well as the overall health of your body.
Preventing Gum Disease
Periodontal disease, known to most as gum disease, is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. Having a dental checkup once every six months will ensure your dentist spots any signs of trouble when it comes to your gums. Without these checkups, you likely wouldn’t even know anything was wrong as gum disease is generally painless.
If you’re seeing a dentist regularly, they can identify early stage gum disease, known as gingivitis, and start treating it immediately. Lucky for you, gingivitis is reversible! With daily brushing and flossing, you can prevent gingivitis from worsening.
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease. At this point, the infection in your gums can cause teeth to become loose, fall out or require extraction by a dentist.
Scheduling an Appointment
If it’s been too long since you last visited the dentist or if you’re simply due for a checkup, don’t hesitate to contact Eaton Dental! Serving Beaver Dam and the Dodge County area, you can count on Dr. John Eaton, DDS, S.C. and his staff to take great care of you and your teeth!
