It’s easy to understand the importance of brushing your teeth, right? After all, you see your teeth every day, and you can feel the stickiness on them if you forget to brush regularly. That can’t be healthy. You know that. It’s also easy to understand the importance of flossing between your teeth. After all, no one wants bits of popcorn, gristle, or spinach lurking between or teeth — or anything else clinging to the gums we see in the mirror frequently.
But if you’ve always been committed to and good at brushing twice a day and flossing daily, do you really need to go see the dentist twice a year, too? Well, the short answer is a resounding, “yes!” But let us explain just why regular dental checkups — every six months — are essential.
Don’t go to the dentist unless you want to prevent tooth decay and cavities
No matter how good you are at brushing and flossing your teeth, you won’t be able to reach every area of your teeth and gums to ensure they’re clean. Unless you happen to have a full set of dental implements and accessories, that is. Completely cleaning your back molars is almost impossible just by brushing and flossing at home. During a dental checkup in Yellowknife, though, your dentist and their staff will ensure every surface of every tooth and every portion of your gum line is free of plaque and tartar.
At the same time, your dentist will inspect each tooth for indications or warning signs of tooth decay or cavities. You might be able to see a cavity on a tooth, but only once it’s got to the point it needs to be filled. Your dentist in Yellowknife will be able to spot issues before they become that serious.
If you’re okay with developing gum disease, skip your dental checkups
Be honest, how carefully do you inspect your gums? Do you look at the gums on the inside of your teeth? (We’d love to see how!) How well do you know the earliest indications of gum disease or the characteristics of healthy gum tissue?
Your dentist knows healthy gums when they see them and the earliest signs of gingivitis while it’s early enough to reverse any issues. If things have progressed beyond gingivitis to the point of periodontitis, your dentist will recommend treatment before it puts the integrity of your teeth and jaw at risk.
Your dentist will screen you for any signs of oral cancer
In mere moments without any invasive procedure, your dentist in Yellowknife will scan your mouth with a VELscope device that detects indications of abnormal tissues that may indicate the presence of oral cancer. If oral cancer spreads beyond your mouth before it is detected, the five-year survival rate is just 65%. The five-year survival rate increases to 84% if oral cancer is detected early and before it has spread. Attending dental checkups regularly will help your dentist to screen you for early signs of oral cancer and may save your life.
A checkup will check into far more than your mouth, teeth, and gums
If preserving the health of your mouth is not a good enough reason for you to prioritize attending dental checkups regularly, did you know that your dentist’s checkups extend far beyond your mouth?
Every dental checkup in Yellowknife will include examining your lymph nodes, jaw, and neck for any indications of swelling, lumps, or symptoms of the disease. They are also an opportunity to discuss any head-related symptoms that you may be experiencing that may indicate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction or even sleep bruxism or sleep apnea.
Why should you have a dental checkup every six months? It just might save your teeth, your gums, and even your life. To schedule a dental checkup near you, contact a dental clinic in Yellowknife.