Most people do not give much thought about going to the dentist unless they are in pain, but there are at least 8 reasons you should see your dentist regularly. Every one of these reasons comes down to the fact that the dentist is normally the first line of defense in identifying and treating oral health concerns. Without these professionals in your corner at least twice a year for regular visits, you could be risking your dental health, overall health, and even your finances.

8 Reasons You Should See Your Dentist Regularly

If going to the dentist regularly is not already at the top of your to do list, it should be. Dental health is considered to be a barometer of our overall health, and if there is a problem with your oral health, the dentist is typically the one to find it.

You don’t have to take our word for it though. Here are 8 reasons you should see your dentist regularly:

  1. Ensuring your diet and lifestyle is not putting your dental health at risk. Dentists are trained to look for tooth decay and discoloration. Significant discoloration may signal that you are eating or drinking acidic foods that eat away at tooth enamel or stain the teeth. If a dentist finds these issues present, they may be able to offer some helpful tips in preventing permanent damage such as avoiding a high intake of sugary foods, wine, and coffee as well as refraining from smoking or chewing ice. Avoiding some of those foods can also help prevent acid reflux.
  2. Getting x-rays. While your dentist may not have x-ray vision, the machine in their office does, and that can lead to detecting problems in their early stages before they become more significant. This may even have the potential to stop or slow a developing cavity with the use of targeted daily oral hygiene and special toothpaste.
  3. Implementing preventative measures. Particularly in younger patients that do not yet have all their permanent teeth, preventative measures such as sealants may be effective in stopping cavity development until the permanent tooth comes in. This prevents the child from having a filling in their baby tooth which will soon be replaced by a permanent one.
  4. Stopping cavities from progressing to needing more than just a filling. If a cavity does develop in a patient, when keeping regular dental visits it may be possible to catch it early enough that only a filling is required, rather than a crown or root canal. While not developing cavities to begin with should be the goal, a small cavity that requires only a filling can be much less expensive and less painful than other corrective alternatives needed if the cavity were to progress unchecked.
  5. Preventing gum disease. Most people know that tartar and plaque can cause damage to the teeth, but many may not realize that tartar and plaque can also do damage to gum tissues. If not properly addressed, these can lead to a sometimes painful infection of the gums that can include bleeding. In advanced cases of plaque and tartar affecting the gums, it may also affect the bones in the mouth and could require surgery and/or tooth removal. Regular visits to the dentist allow a dental professional to keep close tabs on the health of gums before things get out of hand.
  6. Flashing a brighter smile. Even without the use of teeth whitening treatments, professionally cleaned teeth tend to have a more polished glow than an at home cleaning done with an over-the-counter toothbrush and toothpaste. This is typically due to the combination of expert plaque removal and thorough polishing.
  7. Screening for oral cancer. The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that more than fifty thousand Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Early detection of oral cancer is vital in successfully treating it. For this reason, it’s important to see a dentist that will perform an oral cancer check at a regular cleaning. This is usually done by taking a cursory glance at the inside of the cheeks, tongue, lips, and other areas of the mouth, as well as a thorough examination of the neck.
  8. Saving money. While there is a cost associated with regular dental visits, it can be relatively miniscule when compared to the cost of more complex procedures that require multiple visits and/or surgery. In advanced cases that require surgery, it could potentially save a patient thousands of dollars by avoiding that scenario with more regular professional dental care.

Tips for Making Regular Dental Visits Easier

Knowing 8 reasons you should see your dentist regularly does not necessarily mean you will commit to it. This is why we recommend keeping the following tips in mind to give your knowledge actionable steps:

  • Location. You are much more likely to visit a dental professional that is accessible. For a higher rate of success in getting to the dentist for regular visits, either choose a provider that is close to your home or place of work.
  • Hours. Finding a dentist in the right location will not amount to much if they do not keep hours that work with your schedule. Ensure what the dentist’s regular business hours are and if they close for the lunch hour. If so, it may be wise to find a provider that offers either early morning appointments, works through lunch, or has late afternoon appointments.
  • Relationship and efficiency. In addition to finding a licensed dentist that is centrally located and offers business hours that match your needs, it is crucial to find a provider that works efficiently and with whom you have a good relationship. If you are making an appointment with a dentist that is pleasant to be around and efficient with their time, you will be more likely to keep regular visits.

Now that you know 8 reasons you should see your dentist regularly, it’s time to take some action. If you have not visited a dentist in years or have lapsed in your regular visits, take back control of your dental health and make an appointment with your dentist today.