It can often be difficult to remember that you need to visit the dentist regularly, especially if you are experiencing no oral discomfort or if you feel anxious about visiting the dentist. However, your oral and overall health absolutely depends upon your receiving regular dental care. There are some oral health issues that can be prevented entirely by visiting the dentist, and other oral health issues that your dentist can detect and help you resolve rapidly, before they become major issues. There are even some general health issues that begin with oral symptoms that your dentist can detect, which means regular dental care can quite literally protect and benefit your overall health and well-being in many ways.
When Is The Right Time
If you are in good oral health, you may feel that you need to have a good reason to visit the dentist. Following are the top reasons you should schedule an appointment:
- It has been six months (or longer) since your last dental examination and cleaning. A thorough dental examination can help to determine whether you are in good oral health, or whether there is some issue brewing that has as yet remained undetected by you. Catching and resolving any issues early on can be less time-consuming, uncomfortable and costly, so this is definitely beneficial to you. And while you may maintain stellar oral hygiene habits at home, remember that your dentist possesses knowledge, tools and skills you don’t, and so can clean more deeply and thoroughly than you are able to. This means she can eradicate bacteria-ridden tartar buildup that is impossible to remove at home.
- You are experiencing oral discomfort or pain. Whether you are experiencing a dull ache or a sudden, severe pain in your mouth, you should immediately contact your dentist to schedule an appointment. A healthy mouth should experience no discomfort or pain at all, and while the cause of your discomfort or pain may be a minor issue, it may also signal a larger issue that can be better addressed and resolved if tackled quickly. It is never a wise idea to wait and see if oral discomfort or pain will dissipate.
- You have any questions about your oral health or available treatments. You may be wondering if the toothpaste you are using is best for your needs, whether you are brushing and flossing properly, whether you should get dental veneers, whether you need a root canal, or anything else about your oral health. Your questions are important to your dentist too, as she understands that the better you understand your oral health, the better you can work to maintain and improve it. There are no silly or unimportant questions, and all questions you have warrant a visit to your dentist so you can obtain answers.
- Your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. It’s true that sometimes our gums will bleed when we brush or floss too vigorously, but regular gum bleeding is not normal and needs to be checked by your dentist. Bleeding gums are one of the first signs of gum disease, an oral health issue that can be successfully resolved early on but can create extensive discomfort, pain and complications if left untreated.
Consider for a moment your relationship with your family physician. You see them every so often to make sure that you are in good health (more often if you are experiencing a specific health issue), you contact them if you have questions or concerns about your health, and you trust their advice. Your relationship with your dentist should be the same–she is your oral health doctor, and she is deeply invested in helping you to realize your goal of optimal oral health. She seeks to use preventative care wherever possible and restorative care where necessary, and always with the idea of keeping you as comfortable and healthy as possible.
For more information about our dental care services, contact Avenue Dental Arts today.
