Regular Check-ups with your Dentist
The vital importance of visiting your dentist regularly
So, you’ve just left the dentist after a glowing report from out latest check-up, and this thought crosses your mind “well the dentist has given me all this instruction now, and I don’t seem to have issues with my teeth, my results are always good so surely I can take it from here and do it myself”.
Sadly, when it comes to dentistry, this is simply not the case. It would be a bit like watching a mechanic for half an hour and then fixing your own engine, theoretically a great idea, but in reality the expertise achieved by all the years of training and experience are far beyond our own scope.
In the case of dentists it isn't just the training either, it is the bespoke tools and the dentists eye view which give them a supreme advantage when it comes to managing our dental health, even the finite things such as the angles they can achieve and the small expert details they can see (and indeed know to look for!) make a critical and very valuable difference to how every visit, even a simple teeth cleaning prepares our teeth and gums for the coming months.
In very real terms, these visits can be the difference between tooth decay or something even worse, being spotted and treated, or not.
At Life Dental and Wellbeing, we take this expert understanding one step further with our own carefully designed health MOT. Our ‘mini health check’ involves assessing key elements such as your blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and Body Mass Index (BMI) to assess your Q score and how that relates to your oral and indeed full body health.
Whoever your dentist may be it is pivotal that you never delay, cancel or avoid a scheduled check-up, as once can often become twice, three times and so on.
One of the key reasons that even a standard 6 monthly check-up is so essentially important is that the dentist is actually checking for several things at the appointment, most critical among these are.
Mouth, head and neck cancers:
As part of a standard dentist's check-up, the dentist is also checking for lumps to head or neck, as well as red or white patches anywhere in the mouth. These are the signs of potential cancers that would then be referred as a matter of urgency to a specialist.
Usually, of course, these checks show nothing but it is always good to have that peace of mind.
Early identification of unseen issues:
If you look in a mirror, you may spot the more obvious signs of a potential issue, such as bleeding gums or unusual dark or light patches. However, mouth bacteria often spread quickly in unseen areas. A qualified dentist or dental hygienist will look deep into these areas, such as the inner sections that make up each tooth, the workings of the jaw, and the roots of the teeth that sit below the gumline.
Only in this way can they identify problems that already exist, and also spot where potential problems may come from and help you take the best steps towards preventing future issues from developing.
Bespoke and specific advice and assistance:
This sounds like an odd statement, but your dentist over time develops a kind of relationship with your teeth. Regular checkups allow them to see where your teeth have changed or deteriorated and/or are at risk of doing so.
This relationship of course provides a much more thorough examination and beneficial approach to your own individual oral health.
These days we would otherwise get this information from various general opinions on the internet, many of which come from a non-professional source or untrained opinion, and at the very least do not consider your own personal situation and health background, all of which are essential to determine the potential risks you may face going forward.
Life Dental and Wellbeing is an established award award-winning dental and wellbeing practice in the heart of Exeter, Devon.
Our bespoke tailored approach to dentistry has earned significant recognition within the trade, and as a business we thrive while others falter.
To ask any questions bout the above article or to enquire about further services we can offer, please visit our website at lifedentalandwellbeing.co.uk or call us on 01392 278843 where our team of dedicated staff will be able to assist.
