When was the last time you thought about making time for yourself? This question might make you think about going on a vacation, and we understand—life can get so occupied because of the responsibilities we have at work and with our families. But really, when was the last time you took care of yourself, like maybe visiting your dentist for an appointment?
When our teeth and gums are fine and are not in pain, visiting the dentist will not be on the top of your mind when thinking about making time to check on your health. If you happen to pass by this article, this might be your sign to visit your dentist at Adawn Dental Studio for a regular dental check-up so you can save some issues (and money) down the line. Here are some of the reasons why dental visits are essential in keeping your mouth, teeth, and gums in great shape for longer.
What Is Oral Health, Really?
Oral health is the overall condition of your mouth that includes your teeth, gums, tongue, and jaw. And when we talk about keeping these healthy, we mean not only the absence of cavities but mostly about being free from bad breath, pain, and, in serious cases, infections or oral diseases that might affect your everyday life and your overall health.
Oral health is important because it usually gives us a heads-up when something is not right in your body’s health, as it links diseases to other problems like respiratory issues.
Why Prevention Beats Cure Every Time
There are no cheap or even free procedures and treatments these days, and they get all the more expensive, especially when they turn into emergency dental treatments as well as major procedures. But you can prevent all these and can even catch them early, right before they get painful, with routine check-ups to the dentist.
And a standard dental appointment is not just checking for the presence of cavities; rather, it is spotting early signs of diseases that you might get so that your oral health won’t deteriorate over time. The great thing about taking good care of your oral health in this generation is that most of it is covered by insurance, so you won’t have to worry about the expenses that you or your children might have during these dental visits.
Spotting issues early makes a massive difference. Most of the issues we have in our oral health do not pop out of nowhere—these problems start small and build up quietly until you feel uncomfortable because of pain. Dentists are fully aware of this; that’s why they prioritise assessing and looking for early warning signs in your teeth and gums even before they become major problems. Not only do you get less of the worry, but also be sure that your oral health is at the optimum even at a 30-minute dental visit.
Professional cleaning hits different. You might not know this, but even if you do the standard brushing of your teeth religiously, plaque and the buildup of tartar in your teeth and gums can still grow in places your toothbrush can’t reach. The worst part is that tartar hardens so that regular brushing won’t even brush it out. Professional cleaning by dentists thoroughly removes your stubborn tartar to help your gums stay healthy, with additional and sound advice on how you can better clean your teeth regularly at home.
It’s not just for adults. Baby teeth fall out eventually, and this phase in your child’s life plays a big role in their development. This is why kids need regular dental visits so that they would not only get comfortable with dental visits but also normalise the experience of seeing dental care as part of keeping their overall health in check.
Confidence starts with a healthy smile. Oral health nowadays is not only about the functional aspect of your teeth and gums, as it also caters to aesthetics as well, because how your teeth look affects how you feel. By this we mean that optimum oral health is now linked to having a clean and healthy smile. This is why dentists now offer advice on teeth whitening and straightening during your regular visits with them: even if you cannot help but drink coffee or smoke every now and then, teeth stains can now be removed to keep your smile looking pristine always.
Dental anxiety? You’re not alone. We understand the anxiety that comes along with getting an appointment to your dentist, as personal bad experiences, experiences of others that you might know, and even the fear of pain can give us setbacks when thinking about dental checkups. That’s normal and okay, and dental care has come a long way in that modern clinics are now patient-focused—meaning dentists are more approachable and are willing to help you every step of the way. You can also see it with how dental clinics have adopted the warm and comfortable vibe of their spaces.
How Often Should You Go?
Depending on your personal oral health, the recommended dental visit is usually twice a year. However, if you have had dental issues before, you might need to go more often or as prescribed by your dentist. Contrary to what we hear from others, your dentist’s goal is not to charge you more than what you can; rather, they look beyond the present issues to keep your oral health at its optimum condition to keep things running smoothly and functionally.
Make It a Habit to Visit Your Dentist Regularly
While regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing your teeth, and keeping your eating habits and lifestyle in check, it’s always a good idea to put regular dental visits in your annual schedule. Regular appointments do not only give you the chance to have optimum oral health but also some sound advice on how you can improve on taking care of your mouth, teeth, gums, and jaw more, especially when your dentist is familiar with your lifestyle and habits. Remember that your dentist is not there only because it’s their job to keep your teeth in pristine condition, but also because great oral health is not a one-time procedure and process.
