The American Dental Association recommends that healthy, adult patients visit a general dentist every six months for a dental cleaning and examination. This preventative care appointment includes a thorough physical examination of the teeth and gums, a periodontal cleaning (also known as a prophylaxis cleaning), and routine dental X-rays when recommended.
These appointments are an essential component of preventative dental care and highly recommended for achieving and maintaining optimal oral health.
Professional dental cleanings are designed to prevent tooth decay and cavities by removing plaque and tartar that harbors harmful bacteria inside the mouth. Additionally, these appointments present the opportunity to address early stages of tooth decay with professional fluoride treatments and at-home dental care recommendations to help remineralize the tooth enamel.
Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a bacterial infection of the gums. Gingivitis is its earliest stage, and this is the only stage of periodontal disease that can be reversed with prompt treatment. Routine exams provide the opportunity for early detection and diagnosis of gingivitis in addition to treatment recommendations for arresting and clearing the infection.
If periodontal disease has already developed beyond gingivitis, then routine dental appointments will likely be recommended more frequently than every six months. During these appointments, a dental hygienist will thoroughly clean the teeth and gums to help manage periodontitis and prevent the patient from experiencing more advanced symptoms such as bone degeneration and tooth loss.
Poor oral health is associated with a variety of diseases that impact the body's overall health. For example, periodontal disease is closely associated with heart disease, diabetes, dementia, chronic respiratory infections, certain types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and reproductive health problems.
The mouth is the first part of the human body's digestive tract. That means healthy, intact teeth are necessary for obtaining enough calories and nutrition by chewing and ingesting a well-balanced diet. As a result, poor oral health can also impact a person's ability to maintain proper nutrition.
Additionally, routine dental exams include oral cancer screenings which can help ensure the early detection and more successful treatment of oral cancer.
We encourage patients to think of routine dental exams as an investment in their future health. Since these appointments help patients avoid more complex and severe oral health problems, preventative care is almost always less expensive than the cost of treating significant oral health problems. In addition to saving money, preventative care also prevents patients from suffering the painful symptoms of dental disease and the stress of undergoing complex treatments.
At Seva Dental, we place a strong emphasis on preventative dental care. We provide our patients with comprehensive general and preventative dentistry with oral hygiene appointments, regular professional dental examinations, life-saving oral cancer screenings, detailed diagnostic imaging, and professional preventative care services such as in-office fluoride treatments and dental sealants. Additionally, we provide personalized patient education designed to provide our patients with the knowledge, tools, and effective techniques to properly care for their teeth and gums at home in between dental appointments.
To learn more about the importance of routine dental examinations and cleanings or to request an appointment with our dentist at Seva Dental, we welcome you to contact our dental office in Bellbrook, Ohio today. We look forward to help you achieve and maintain a beautiful and healthy smile for life!
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