Good oral health is necessary for people to be in an overall state of well-being, yet the importance of seeing a general dentist on a regular basis is something that many people seem to overlook. By going to see a general dentist, one can avoid many situations in which serious dental problems occur. In this article, we will take a look at the benefits of routine visits to the general dentist, some of the common procedures that are done in a dental office, and tips for keeping your smile in between dental appointments.
Benefits of Regular Dental Check-Ups
The regular dental check-up has one major advantage: it allows the dentist to catch probable problems early on, before they aggravate into something serious, painful, and costly. The check-up is a noninvasive way to examine the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums, if necessary—in areas that you may not be able to reach even with the best toothbrush on the market. In conjunction with the simple task of brushing your teeth, achieving optimal dental health requires that you do something like “The Ten Steps to Brushing Your Teeth.” On the plaque-fighting side of things, here’s what will happen: When you go to the dentist, a dental hygienist (or the dentist himself, if you go to a less high-tech office and there’s a rare burr under the “professional cleaning” section of your dental plan) will scrape your teeth with something that looks almost like a miniature shovel.
Common Procedures at the Dentist
A general dentist may perform a number of different procedures during a dental visit. They will first do an exam that consists of taking a very close look at the teeth, gums, and mouth. The dentist will do a thorough check of all the dental work that’s in place—fillings, crowns, bridges, etc.—to make sure everything is working like it should. They will then have a hygienist do a cleaning. Dentists highly recommend these cleanings for two main reasons: First, your general dentist has a way of knowing when stuff is hiding in the mouth that shouldn’t be there (stuff like plaque, tartar, and stains). Second, they have a way—using instruments, their hands, and an amazing amount of light—that makes it easy for them to see every surface of every tooth and every part of the gum line from every angle.
Maintaining Your Oral Health at Home
Although it is vital to see a general dentist regularly, it’s just as necessary and, in some respects, more so for individuals to maintain their oral health on their own. To this end, here are some practices that you might consider emulating to aid in maintaining your dental health.
- Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to brush your tongue and teeth at least twice a day. Remember to brush areas where your teeth and gums meet. Failing to do so can lead to increased gum recession and a cavity-prone gum line.
- Floss Daily: Flossing is important. You should do it every day, just as you should brush your teeth every day. If you don’t have the dexterity to use regular floss, there are many devices on the market that can assist you. And please stop on the way to the fillings section of your next dental appointment; it’s a much less pleasant way to secure oral health.
Conclusion
To sum up, making routine appearances at a general dentist is of utmost importance for maintaining oral health. By ensuring that you have a dental home and following good oral hygiene practices at your dental home (and we hope you do), you’ll avoid much more serious, and much more expensive, problems that can and do arise with dental health. And as we’ve said, those visits to the general dentist help stave off many problems and can lead you toward a much healthier, happier smile in the years ahead.
