“The semi-annual visits” have almost become a rule of thumb when it comes to the number of times you should visit a dentist. However, the frequency of dental checkups varies depending on the state of one’s oral health.
Most dentists will always recommend three to four times a year (or even more frequent visits) if you suffer from or are at high risk of developing gum disease or any other oral problem.
But why is it necessary that you schedule an appointment with your dentist in the first place? Is it even essential to have your kid see a pediatric dentist? Well, a dental checkup, allows for early diagnosis of oral problems, gives room for treatment, therefore preventing the issue from spreading to other areas.
We posed these questions to Dr. Holly Gregory, a family dentist in Kingwood TX and are sharing her tips with you.
During the checkups, you can expect your dentist to:
- Ask about your recent medical history, especially if it’s your first visit.
- Examine your mouth, teeth and gums, and advice on whether you need an x-ray or not.
Depending on the outcome, he/she may recommend a treatment plan.
- Advice on a good diet, effective teeth cleaning habits, and harmful practices to quit or avoid in order to ensure excellent oral health.
- Discuss and schedule a new date for your next checkup.
What to consider when choosing a dentist
You may opt for a family dentist like Enhanced Dental Studios Sanctuary Cove to care for your entire household’s dental needs; however, getting a great pediatric dentist for your kid(s) is the surest way to help them develop good oral health care habits at an early stage; a practice that they’ll carry on with even when they become adults.
So here is what you should look out for when choosing a dentist:
- Level of experience. Is he/she qualified in the first place? If so, what’s the level of expertise? You want to work with a reputable person, so ensure you do a thorough background search.
- The type of services they offer as well as the cost. This should be made known to you before any treatment plan is scheduled.
- Is the scheduled appointment convenient for you?
- Is the clinic accessible?
- Are there measures in place to handle emergency cases?
- What insurance plans does the practice accept? You may want a practice that utilizes a wide range of plans to be safe in the future in case you’d like to switch from one insurance plan to the other.
- Does the practice utilize state-of-art dental equipment?
- Is the clinic environment kids-friendly? And this should include even the persons handling your young one(s).
Generally, a great pediatric dentist is one who exercises patience and care when handling a young one. Such a professional understands that it takes quite some time to earn a child’s trust, and therefore, works patiently to earn that trust, while also creating a relaxed environment to ensure the child feels comfortable and cared for.
Note that kids also require regular dental checkups just as you do, therefore, ensure you begin the journey once the very first tooth appears.
Failure to do so or lack of proper cleaning may lead to tooth decay, which can, in turn, give rise to more serious problems like gum disease and inflammation, painful gums and teeth, difficulty in eating and sleeping, plus low self-esteem when they feel embarrassed to smile or even converse with others.
Final Thoughts: Tips for oral health in-between exams:
Want to enhance your smile and confidence as well as that of your family members? Well, in addition to the regular dental visits, here are some tips you can also implement:
- Daily brushing and flossing. Consider brushing your teeth at least twice a day to keep the harmful bacteria at bay.
- Quit bad habits like smoking. Other than yellowing your teeth, smoking also pales out your skin, leaving you with lifelong illnesses such as cancer of the throat.
- Consider using braces. Braces help prevent cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and bone erosion. You may want to try out Invisalign braces (also known as clear aligners) if you’re highly conscious about wearing braces.
- Drink more water. While it supports the normal functions of your body, adequate intake of water also ensures a perfect smile as it helps rid your mouth and teeth of plaque buildup.
Naturally, water contains fluoride, which is essential for robust teeth and also helps prevent tooth decay.
- Consider informing your dentist of any dental issue you may have; even if it means visiting the clinic before the next scheduled appointment.
In fact, your dentist is the perfect person to determine the number of checkups you should have in a year. Therefore, ensure you choose someone experienced; one you can trust with your health.