They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but there’s no such saying applied to the dentist. Even the best daily dental hygiene habits don’t excuse you from visiting the dentist! At Lakeshore Family Dentistry, we want to help keep you healthy and happy, and that starts with regular dental visits. Here are five reasons you should see your dentist every six months.
1. Plaque, Tartar, and Cavities
As we said even those most diligent about their daily brushing and flossing habits can still have areas which get missed. As plaque builds up it becomes more difficult to remove on your own. If left unattended it can turn into tartar, which can only be removed professionally. Over time, tartar causes teeth to erode causing cavities. In other words, you want to see your Milwaukee dentist regularly so they can clear out the plaque and keep tabs on potential cavity spots.
2. Gum Disease
There are multiple causes for gum disease, but the most common is tartar buildup along the gum line. If you don’t address the situation during regular checkups at your dentist, the case could become more serious and require visits to specialists. This can, of course, become very costly. You’re better off sticking to six month checkups!
3. Oral Cancer
Dentists receive a great deal of training to detect oral cancer. Oral cancer is something which can progress quite rapidly, so it’s important to visit your dentist regularly to ensure early detection.
4. X-Rays
Sometimes there are issues which lie beneath the surface of the teeth – ones which aren’t visible to even the best dentists. That’s why technologies like x-rays exist. Issues like jawbone damage, bone decay, cysts, swelling, and tumors are all impossible to see without x-rays. These definitely aren’t things you want to leave untreated.
5. Addressing Bad Habits
None of us are perfect. We all have bad habits we need to work on, especially when it comes to dental hygiene. Thankfully, regular trips to your Milwaukee dentist can help keep your bad habits in check. Of course the ideal situation would be to put an end to the bad habit, but everything takes time. We’re here to help!
We know time flies, and seeing the dentist isn’t at the top of your to-do list most of the time. We want to help our patients understand the importance of regular visits for your overall health. Let the Lakeshore Family Dentistry team help you get the most out of your dental insurance and set you up for a health future!