Most people know that dentists generally recommend patients have a regular check up and clean every six months. But why is this the case?
The biggest reason for regular check ups is so that any dental issues can be detected before they become a major problem.
One of the most common reasons patients tell me that they have not been to the dentist for a long time is that their teeth were not hurting.
A patient I saw recently had not been to the dentist for about 4 years. The main reason they came to see me was that they had started to get some bleeding of their gums when brushing their teeth. This is a common problem that occurs because of calculus that forms on the teeth over time.
Calculus is dental plaque that if not completely removed, absorbs calcium from saliva, hardens and traps bacteria within and over time, forms tartar.
This irritates the gums and causes inflammation that remains unless the calculus is removed. The inflammation is what causes the bleeding but this can be easily resolved by having your teeth cleaned at the dentist.
If you have your teeth cleaned every 6 months, for most people this is enough to prevent inflammation causing gum disease and loss of bone around the teeth which leads to gum recession.
The same patient also had some cavities that had formed between their teeth. The patient was surprised because they had not had any pain and could not feel a hole.
Unfortunately with teeth, pain is not a good indication of a problem.
Often, especially in children and young adults, decay can progress halfway through the tooth, and in some cases almost into the nerve, without the person experiencing any pain. The larger the cavity when it is found, the more likely the tooth will have ongoing problems and will need further treatment such as root canal therapy.
Now that we have been able to transition this patient to preventative check ups and teeth cleaning (every 6 months) we can significantly reduce their gum disease and any future cavities can be identified and rectified earlier, reducing the chance of further long term problems.
Has it been too long since you’ve been in for a clean and check up? Book an appointment to come in and see us and get yourself back on track for healthy teeth and gums.
Thank you for this educational blog post! Orthodontists are dental specialists who operate with the teeth and jaw to fix bite issues like crowding and tooth gaps.
To guarantee correct fit, orthodontic therapy usually entails the extraction, pressing, and repositioning of teeth. The term “braces” or “orthodontics” is also used to describe the field. In order to straighten teeth, orthodontists employ braces. They also wear retainers after their braces are removed to keep their teeth from reverting to their pre-braces positions. Orthodontists also educate patients on proper tooth brushing and flossing techniques, as well as oral hygiene management.
An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed three years of orthodontic training in a university-affiliated school, which can take up to four years to complete.