The Importance of Seeing Your Dentist Semi-Annually

Seeing your dentist twice a year for a regular checkup is an important part of maintaining your oral health. However, sometimes people do not meet this recommendation due to neglect, dental anxiety or lack of insurance coverage. The issue with postponing dental checkups is, over time, it can negatively affect your oral health. Below, we have listed a few of the reasons why it is important to visit your dentist semi-annually.

Plaque Removal

Regardless of how well we brush and floss our teeth at home, it's difficult to remove plaque from all areas of our mouth. Plaque buildup results in the formation of tartar which is difficult to remove with a toothbrush alone. Dentists will clean your teeth at your regular visits with tools designed to remove this unwanted substance. If left for long periods of time tartar build up can result in the development of cavities. Plaque, tartar and cavities can be avoided by visiting the dentist regularly. 

Prevent Gum Disease

Like cavities, periodontal (gum) disease often goes unnoticed because in the early stages the symptoms tend to be mild. Gum disease results from erosion of the gum tissue. It causes an infection at the point of connection between the tooth and gums. 

The condition not only affects gum tissue but it can also erode the bone holding teeth in their place. Periodontal disease has also been proven to contribute to other serious problems such as heart disease and respiratory illness.

Early Identification Of Unseen Issues

Most dentists will take x-rays of your mouth to get a full picture of your oral health. The dentist can easily identify any problems that aren't visible to the naked eye. X-ray images enable the dentist to identify blocked teeth, bone decay, tumors, and more. Timely identification of these issues is important to ensure that you receive proper treatment before a potentially more serious problem develops.

Economical Option

Regularly visiting the dentist increases the chances that any potentially serious problems are identified at an early stage. This allows the patient to avoid more costly treatments, for more serious issues, down the road. Two dental visits a year will be much cheaper than having to receive multiple treatments. It helps the dentist better identify issues and eradicate them before they become harmful to the patient.

Is It Time For Your Next Dental Checkup? 

At Woolwich Dental, we have a wide array of dental services to help meet your needs. We work with all patients to ensure they receive the best treatment in a safe and friendly environment. To book your next appointment, contact our team at Woolwich Dental today.