Visiting the dentist every six months may not be the time everyone expects, but it is one of the most important things to keep in mind. If you have ever wondered what the point of regular dental checkups and cleaning is, here is something to think about. If you are considering skipping a dental exam because of the cost or something like time or dental anxiety, make sure you consider all the risks. What you may end up paying for later by not visiting your dentist will probably be very high, both in your pocket and in peace of mind. Here are some of the most important reasons why you should see your dentist regularly: Plaque/tartar removal: Many people complain of yellowing teeth and tartar on teeth. This might eventually lead to bad breath and gum problems. Plaque is a white adhesive that builds up on your teeth and contains germs. After eating food or sugary snacks, acids that are produced by bacteria attack the enamel causing cavities. Retained plaque hardens into tartar after mixing with calcium components, making it difficult to keep teeth clean. The formation of tartar on your gums leads to inflammation that causes gum disease. Though brushing twice daily keeps the plaque in check, it might not eliminate heavy calculus and tartar. Hence, professional cleaning called “oral prophylaxis” is mandatory to keep the plaque and tartar in check and remove food debris accumulated on teeth, which may further contribute to caries if not taken care of.

Gum problems: Another most common complaint of people is bleeding gums. Gum bleeding is a consequence of plaque and tartar buildup on teeth, which irritates the gums, causing inflammation and bleeding. When this gum disease progresses, the infection spreads to the alveolar bone surrounding the teeth. This leads to loss of bone, loosening, and eventually falling out of teeth. Hence, a dentist’s intervention is mandatory to avoid the spread of infection to the bone and assess the severity of the gum disease. A dentist also prescribes required mouthwashes and dentifrices that help alleviate the condition. Cavities: The most popular reason to visit a dentist is cavities. But do you know that a cavity can be avoided if detected early? Many a time, caries start as white chalky lesions on the surfaces of teeth, and if they are detected during this phase, they can be remineralized, which prevents them from progressing to cavities. It is difficult to assess these lesions by yourself. A dentist, with the help of instruments and proper lighting, can detect these lesions and suggest appropriate care and prescribe tooth mousse that helps remineralize the affected part of the tooth. Screening of oral cancer: We often see small ulcers in the oral cavity but tend to ignore them, thinking that they are harmless. But different types of ulcers have different significances. If an ulcer is detected to be a traumatic ulcer due to your sharp teeth, it is even dangerous as repeated irritation of an ulcer can lead to cancer in the oral cavity. Most of these things are commonly overlooked by patients as they consider them to be harmless. They can only be screened and cured by your dentist during regular dental appointments. Recognizing oral cancer in its early stages is vital in treating it successfully, and while you may not notice oral abnormalities, your dentist will. Bad habits affecting oral health: Both children and adults have bad oral habits that may influence their health negatively. The most common habits are thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, bruxism, nail-biting, finger biting, tongue sucking, and self-mutilation.

All these habits, though common at an early age, may pose difficulty when prolonged after a certain time. Also, these habits have a negative effect on developing teeth and bone and may cause crowding of teeth, maxillary protuberance, narrowing of the maxilla, and notching of teeth. They can be cured when detected early. All these habits arise from underlying physical, mental, and emotional causes, and only a dentist can diagnose them. So, regular dental visits often help overcome these problems with expert guidance. Smoking and tobacco chewing: People often find it very difficult to let go of these habits, and there is a deep psychological connection to them. Hence, counseling or rehab must be provided to the patients who want to improve their lifestyle by letting go of these habits, and your regular dental visit might act as one. Dentists can counsel their patients and guide them in choosing alternatives. This helps patients gradually get rid of their habits. Hence, a regular dental visit allows you to change or alter your lifestyle choice to prevent further damage. X-rays: In a dental visit, x-rays of the jaw and teeth are taken to assess underlying conditions that cannot be seen clinically. Many issues like impacted teeth, deep caries, cysts, or tumors that go unnoticed can be detected in an x-ray examination. These conditions, when left untreated, can sometimes become fatal. Hence, bi-annual dental visits and x-rays can help to keep your oral health in check. Dentists are not only concerned with your teeth. They can assess the oral conditions and detect the underlying systemic causes like anemia, swollen lymph nodes, or tonsillitis that may sometimes go unnoticed. A regular dental visit helps you save expensive dental treatments due to a lack of oral hygiene. So, visiting a dentist regularly is worth the effort.