Maintaining good oral hygiene habits through regular brushing and flossing is important for your oral and overall health. If you are staying on top of your oral hygiene, you may be wondering if you still have to visit your dentist. While the frequency of your dental visits depends on your dental situation and other factors, seeing your dentist in Plymouth, MA, every six months for cleanings and checkups can help you keep a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile.
What to Expect During Your Dental Checkup
A lot of dental problems only present symptoms when they have advanced and become costly to treat. This is the reason regular dental checkups are essential, even if you believe you have healthy teeth. Your checkups include a thorough examination of your mouth, gums, and teeth for signs of oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum d disease. Your dentist will diagnose any issues found and explain the treatment they recommend. Also, they will ask you questions regarding your overall health and previous dental problems. Finally, your dentist will answer any questions you may want to ask.
What are Dental Cleanings?
Brushing and flossing your teeth at home can slow down the buildup of plaque, but this can’t prevent a buildup completely. Thus, you still have to undergo professional dental cleaning. Plaque that has not been removed through regular brushing and flossing can become tartar over time. Tartar can cause cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.
During professional dental cleanings, your dentist will get rid of plaque and tartar that have built up on your teeth, between your teeth, and around the gum line. Then, they will use an electric brush to deep clean your teeth and eliminate residual plaque and tartar. Also, they will floss your teeth to get rid of excess plaque or toothpaste used when cleaning your teeth. The last part of the cleaning process is rinsing your mouth to eliminate debris.
Reasons to Visit Your Dentist Twice Every Year
Although visiting your dentist every six months is ideal for most patients, some factors can make it important for you to see your dentist more frequently. This is the case if you have gum disease since treatment can take a few months. Your dentist must keep track of the condition to make sure it is improving. In addition, you may have to see a dentist more frequently than others if you smoke, are diabetic or pregnant, or have a weak immune system.
