Since you first began growing teeth in infancy, you started taking care of your smile and visiting your dentist. As you reached adulthood, your schedule grew busy, and you might feel tempted to skip routine appointments with your dentist.
Though it might seem like a hassle to visit your dentist’s office in person, especially during the global pandemic, you should not miss these appointments. Maintaining your oral health will help you avoid a dental emergency that might permanently hurt your smile. Read on to learn more about the importance of seeing your dentist on a regular basis.
What Happens During a Routine Dentist Appointment?
When you visit your dentist for a routine appointment, your dentist gives you crucial preventative dental care. They will examine your teeth and gums for early signs of dental problems. Then they can offer swift treatment to get rid of these issues before they can cause lasting and irreversible damage to your smile.
Your dentist will also thoroughly clean your teeth during this appointment. They will scrape away plaque and tartar build-up from hard-to-reach spots in your mouth, such as near the gumline.
If these residues remain on your teeth, they can eat away at your teeth and leave them vulnerable to cavities and other dental dangers. Your usual at-home oral hygiene regimen cannot get rid of all of this build-up, hence the need to attend these dental cleanings.
How Often Should I Schedule Dental Check-Ups?
For most patients, a dentist will suggest that you schedule a teeth cleaning and oral exam every six months. This establishes the ideal window to clear plaque from your teeth before it can hurt your smile. And the dentist can find signs of gum disease or cavities during an exam before they can advance and leave you with severe dental damage.
However, some patients might need to see their dentist three or four times a year. Senior patients, those with a high propensity for tartar formation, and people with underlying medical issues might qualify for these more frequent appointments. Consult with your dentist to learn specifics of how to maintain your unique smile.
Can I Call My Dentist During a Dental Emergency?
Though you may take diligent care of your smile, accidents can occur that might need attention from a dentist before your next routine appointment. If you sustain an injury to your tooth or notice another less urgent issue in your smile, call your dentist.
Do not hesitate to let your dentist know about any concerns with your oral health in between your regular visits. An abnormality with your teeth could point to a larger dental problem that may need prompt treatment from your dentist.
Your dentist can offer advice over the phone or ask you to come to their office for an emergency appointment. There, they can relieve uncomfortable symptoms and resolve your dental problems. You should not tough out tooth pain or other discomforts until your next routine appointment.