It’s not uncommon to wonder how often you should visit a dentist for a dental checkup. Regular dental exams and cleanings help ensure your oral health and overall health remain at their best. At Eriks Dental Group, we believe that regular visits to our Boynton Beach office allow us to help our patients reduce their risk of periodontal disease and prevent cavities.
What Happens During a Dental Exam?
During a dental exam, Dr. Eriks, DMD examines your face, neck, lower jaw, and lymph nodes for any lesions, swelling, or other irregularities. Dental x-rays also allow him to see anything that may be of concern in your teeth, gums, or jaw.
Some other steps of a dental exam include:
- Gum examination for signs of periodontal disease: Treating periodontal disease ensures it is reversed before devastating effects occur.
- Checking for cracked, chipped, loose, or broken teeth: Addressing these helps to prevent a cavity from growing further or damage from becoming so extensive that a dental crown or implant is required.
- Bite assessment: Teeth grinding, or clenching can cause damage to the teeth. Making sure the bite is correct helps prevent it.
- Oral cancer screening: Early detection allows us to treat any oral cancers.
- Accessing damage to existing fillings: If there is a hole in a filling, decay can get deep into the tooth, requiring a root canal.
After a dental exam, a dental hygienist will perform a teeth cleaning that cleans the teeth and gum thoroughly to reduce or eliminate signs of gum disease. They can offer brushing and flossing tips if they believe your oral hygiene routine could use improvement. By removing plaque from the teeth and polishing stains or discoloration, your smile will look brighter instantly.
How Often to Have a Dental Checkup
Ultimately, how often you visit our dental office for a dental exam depends on your oral and overall health. There is no true one-size-fits-all answer. Some factors can affect how often you need to see a dentist, including:
Lifestyle
Patients who smoke or drink often may need to see the dentist more often. This is because some studies show that drinking alcohol can lead to more than a three times higher rate of tooth loss. Also, smoking is a leading cause of oral disease.
Oral Hygiene Habits
You won’t require frequent dental visits if you’re dedicated to your oral hygiene and brush and floss religiously. For those with the onset of gum disease due to improper brushing, you may need to visit Dr. Eriks every six months instead of annually to resolve these issues.
Genetics
Unfortunately, some people are just more prone to cavities despite how they care for their teeth and gums. When you’re more likely to get tooth decay, you will need to take extra steps to fight it, which means more visits to your general dentist.
Learn The Benefits of Dental Exams and How Often to Visit Our Dental Office
At Eriks Dental Group, we encourage all our patients to schedule regular dental exams according to their oral health needs.
Our professional dental team can give recommendations based on your needs. This ensures that any existing dental issues don’t advance past the ability to perform a simple service over a more extensive procedure.
When you leave oral health issues untreated, they can also affect your overall health. To schedule a dental exam with a Boynton Beach dentist, call our office at 561-733-4004.