Did you know that more than 3.5 billion people worldwide live with some kind of oral health issue? Even more alarming is that only about 60% of North Americans have visited their dentist for a routine checkup in the last year. Visiting a dentist near you at least once every six months is essential to detect oral health issues early on and begin treatment to prevent them from worsening.
Our team at Aspire Dental tells you the top five benefits of getting regular dental checkups and cleanings in this blog post.
#1 Prevent Cavities
Cavities are small holes in your teeth that develop due to tooth decay caused by poor oral hygiene. While regular brushing and flossing can prevent cavities, sometimes a toothbrush misses certain areas of the mouth. As a result, tartar and plaque buildup in these areas and lead to tooth decay. When you visit a dentist in Sherwood Park at least once every six months for a dental cleaning and checkup, they can clean the bacteria from all the areas of your mouth and prevent cavities from occurring.
#2 Detect Oral Cancer
Oral cancer can develop due to excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and poor oral hygiene. Unfortunately, oral cancer does not often provide a warning sign; however, a simple and quick exam at your routine dental visit can quickly detect this disease. When caught early, oral cancer is easily treatable.
#3 Detect and Reverse Gum Disease
Gum disease can be very dangerous, and when left to progress, can warrant a visit to an emergency dentist near you. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar and can lead to bleeding and inflamed gums. In severe cases, gum disease can even lead to tooth loss. When you visit a dentist regularly, they can detect gum disease in its early stages and reverse it, restoring your oral health.
#4 Check Your Lymph Nodes
At a routine dental checkup, your dentist will also evaluate your neck, head, and the lymph node located under your jaw. During these checks, your dentist can detect issues such as swollen lymph nodes and send you to the right medical professional to perform additional tests.
#5 Take Advantage of Dental X-Rays
During some dental checkups, your dentist might also take an x-ray of your mouth to identify any issues that cannot be seen with the naked eye. For example, if you have been noticing some pain in your tooth, it may be due to a tooth that has been damaged at the root. X-rays can also be used to monitor the growth and development of wisdom teeth and help your dentist identify if you require wisdom tooth extractions.
Visit Aspire Dental
When it comes to looking after your oral health, don’t simply rely on emergency dentistry in Sherwood Park. Instead, make sure that you visit a dentist at least once every six months for a professional dental cleaning and checkup. This will ensure that you maintain optimal oral health and prevent you from having to spend time, money, and energy on more advanced dental treatments down the line. If it has been more than six months since you last saw a dentist, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at Aspire Dental to book your appointment today.