A visit to your hygienist helps you to maintain your oral health by keeping your teeth clean. Getting a routine cleaning every six months will keep your teeth and gums in great shape throughout your life.
If you've had numerous cavities in the past, your fillings may need some touching up. Or maybe you have a permanent retainer that's been feeling off lately, ever since you bit into that hard pretzel. Whatever the case, a dental care provider can offer you reliable upkeep so that the money you've invested in the past doesn't go to waste.
Gum disease is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. If gingivitis is caught early on by a professional, it can be prevented, but if it progresses to severe periodontal disease, it will be irreversible. Gum disease is incredibly time-sensitive, so it's important to get medical treatment as soon as possible to avoid the need for false teeth such as dental implants or dentures.
Oral cancer is extremely treatable in its early stages, but it can be lethal later on; someone in the United States dies of the disease every hour, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. Dentists screen for oral cancer during routine checkups and cleanings in an effort to catch the signs of it early.
Many dental problems don't make themselves known until they're full-on catastrophes, and if it turns out that you have an advanced issue, such as tooth decay, it may be irreversible. Therefore, you can save yourself time, pain, and costly care by seeing a qualified dentist on a regular basis.
Health benefits aside, a visit to the dentist will help you keep your pearly whites looking great. Regular cleanings will remove surface staining, and if you'd like to go the extra mile, you can always receive whitening treatments.
Most dentists take pride in instructing their patients on how to properly care for their teeth at home. They can give you helpful tips on brushing, flossing, and other maintenance activities with your individual needs in mind.