Visiting the dentist every few months may begin feeling redundant after several visits with no cavities. However, it is one of the most essential appointments to keep. If you’re considering skipping your upcoming dental checkup, you may want to reconsider. Regular dental checkups are about more than finding tooth decay.
Plaque and Tartar Removal
Even with a detailed home care routine, there are small areas of your mouth that brushing and flossing can miss. Plaque can build up, becoming more challenging to remove. Eventually, it solidifies and turns into tartar(calculus). This solid substance requires professional help to remove it.
Gum Disease
Plaque and tartar buildup causes tooth decay and can lead to gum erosion. This condition occurs because built-up tartar causes an infection near where the gums connect to the teeth, causing the tissue to pull away from the tooth.
You know this infection as gingivitis, but it can progress to periodontal disease(periodontitis) without routine dental cleanings.
Oral Cancer Detection
An oral cancer diagnosis may get missed without routine dental visits, allowing it to progress quickly. Your dentist understands this life-threatening disease’s early signs and symptoms and can catch it in its early stages. Early detection of oral cancer is the key to successfully treating it.
X-Rays
Some oral conditions cannot be seen with the naked eye. Your dentist will X-ray your teeth and jawbone at your routine dental visit. These images allow your dentist to see what’s happening beneath your gum tissue and diagnose it more accurately. Issues like impacted teeth, cysts, and bone decay and cancer can be detected during routine dental exams.
Schedule Your Next Routine Visit
Are you overdue for your next dental cleaning and exam? It’s never too late to schedule an appointment. Call (727) 548-7100 to schedule your next exam with David W. Piper, DMD Family Dentistry.
Dr. Piper is a General and Cosmetic Dentist who has proudly served Pinellas County since 1993. Both he and his team of professionals provide high quality, gentle dental care in a relaxed, personalized, and caring environment. Treating patients like family sets his practice apart from others.
