It’s important for your dental health that you schedule an annual check-up with your family dentist, even if you just get an assessment, X-rays, and a cleaning. This single act of self-care can accomplish a lot when it comes to protecting your dental and overall health.
Here are some of the reasons why it is important to visit your dentist every year.
Professional Cleaning
Even if you are diligent about brushing and flossing your teeth, it is still nearly impossible to get every little bit of plaque and calculus. In most cases, there might be small particles between teeth that can cause decay. A professional cleaning with a dental hygienist can remove these small particles that brushing and flossing can miss and protect your teeth from decay.
In most cases, severe tooth decay is caused by these small areas that have built up tartar and plaque. Fortunately, a professional cleaning removes this buildup. Ideally, you would get your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. However, if you can only go once a year, this is still better than only going periodically.
If the buildup goes too far, you may need periodontal treatments to address the pockets this creates. Deep gum pockets can cause your teeth to fall out. One of the first lines of defense to address severe buildup is root planing and scaling. Your dentist may refer to this as a “deep cleaning” that’s done across at least two appointments. This is much more expensive and time-consuming than regular cleaning. Scheduling regular dental cleanings could be enough to prevent the need for a deep cleaning.
Tracking Changes Over Time
By going to the same family dentist every year, it’s easier for your dentist to track changes in your oral health over time that may not be possible otherwise. They can note even minor shifts in teeth or small concerns that need to be followed up on. If you went to a new dentist periodically for care, they wouldn’t be able to know that small changes were happening.
By noticing these trends in your oral health over time, your dentist may be able to predict the development of certain conditions based on this information. Without going every year, it can be difficult to know just how things are developing.
Dentists can track spacing between your teeth, the levels of decay, shifting teeth, and gum health. Sometimes, it is possible, if not preferable, to monitor a condition and be more conservative with treatment. With annual visits, for example, it might be possible to monitor a very minor cavity in a child versus getting a filling.
Early Intervention
Early intervention is critical when it comes to protecting your dental health. It is the difference between a minor cavity and a root canal. By scheduling regular dental checkups, you ensure there is less time between evaluations. In most cases, a cavity won’t have time to develop into a situation with such serious decay that you need a root canal.
This can also make a difference in your ability to save your teeth. For instance, if you have periodontal disease, identifying this quickly and starting treatment can help keep your teeth safe.
Save Money
Annual visits to the dentist can save you substantial amounts of money. Even though you’ll have to pay a fee for X-rays and an exam, this is much less than you’d pay for extensive reconstructive dental work. For example, a filling for a cavity is much less expensive than a root canal, crown, or dental implant. The more frequently you visit the dentist, the less time passes between visits for dental problems to escalate.
Easier to Schedule an Appointment
When you’re an established patient, it’s easier to get an appointment. This is because first appointments for new patients take more time. You will need to discuss your medical history and concerns, as well as ask questions about your care. This means that you need a bigger block of time to schedule a new patient appointment compared to a follow-up. It can be more challenging to find a block in the schedule to accommodate this. Some dentists also limit how many new patient appointments are available each week. You may have to wait a month or more to get a new patient appointment.
By scheduling an annual appointment with the same dentist, you don’t need as much time for the evaluation. While you may need to update your medical history, such as adding a new medication to your record, you won’t have to start over. This often translates into the ability to get an appointment sooner.
While this ability to schedule an appointment sooner is more convenient, it’s incredibly important if something happens that you need faster care. Whether you lose or crack a tooth or experience sudden dental pain, you want to get into the dentist’s office as soon as possible.
Schedule an Appointment with our Boynton Beach Family Dentist
When establishing care with a new family dentist, it’s important to connect with a dentist that you trust and like. If you’re looking for a family dentist, consider whether they can treat every member of your family, how they communicate, and how difficult it is to get an appointment.
If you happen to be looking for a family dentist in Boynton Beach, Florida, consider Eriks Dental Group – our compassionate team can offer you and your family a full range of dental treatments. Contact Eriks Dental Group to schedule an appointment today.
We are happy to take the time to answer any questions you have – give us a call today at 561-733-4004.