You may know that you’re supposed to see your dentist twice a year, but you may not be clear on exactly why that is necessary, especially if you don’t think you are experiencing any problems with your oral health.
The American Dental Association reports that 100 million Americans don’t see a dentist even once a year, though for many this is because of a fear of pain, stemming from childhood experiences. What they don’t realize is that modern dentistry can be virtually painless, due to the wide variety of anesthetics and pain management techniques available today. If dental issues are neglected, pain may result, and the damage done (of which the pain is just a symptom) can be permanent. Prevention is always best.
To that end, it is vital that you schedule a full exam once a year at a dental practice with the latest technology and experienced professionals.
The best-known reason to visit the dentist is to check for cavities, also known as dental caries, which are second only to the common cold among diseases. If they are not removed and filled early in their development, they can cause a lot of pain. There is also an opportunity to replace old fillings, often made of inferior silver amalgam material, before they become loose, either with gold (which can last 20 years), dental porcelain (which looks like natural teeth and is very durable), or the least expensive, composite resin, which can be shaded like your teeth (this lasts 3-10 years, but stains easily if you don’t brush right after drinking coffee or tea or if you are smoking).
The second reason is to have a thorough dental exam, including a digital x-ray, which is the only way to discover if there has been any loss of the jawbone due to periodontal infection, which would need to be dealt with promptly to prevent the ultimate loss of many teeth.
Third, it is important to have a professional cleaning of the gums and teeth by your dental hygienist twice a year. Dental hygienists have the tools and techniques to prevent bacteria from thriving in the gums and undermining not only the stability of your teeth, but spreading throughout your body, raising your risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Fourth, having a beautiful smile is important for confidence in our business and personal lives. Cosmetic dentistry has a wide range of options to realize that achieve this, from removing of discoloration during just one hour in the dental chair for a more gleaming smile, to Invisalign clear trays that can gently straighten even the most crooked set of teeth.
We encourage you to contact your local dental team today to set an appointment for a full examination and to discuss your options for a healthier, more attractive smile.
By Alexander Ash, DDS
Dr. Ash is the founder of Studio Dental Care. He earned his Doctorate at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, followed by two General Residencies at New York-Presbyterian / Weill-Cornell Hospital and the UCLA Sepulveda VA Hospital.