02 Nov The Importance of Regular Dental Check-Ups: Why You Shouldn’t Skip Them

How Regular Dental Check-Ups Can Lead to a Better Smile

Have you always wanted a better smile showcasing whiter, healthier teeth?  Or perhaps you want a more fabulous smile since it can help you be more confident.

Those are valid reasons to want to have a dazzling smile. But here’s another: scientists say smiling alone can make you feel happier!

One thing that can help you achieve a better smile is to go for regular dental check-ups. With your dentist’s help, you can keep your oral health in top condition, which is crucial to a healthy smile.

We’ve shared how dental check-ups can help you smile more and enjoy optimal oral health, so please read on. 

Keep Pearly Whites Free of Tartar

Tartar, or dental calculus, is a hardened layer of plaque. You can remove most dental plaque by brushing your teeth and flossing correctly twice daily. And if you don’t use one yet, go for an electronic toothbrush; it’s better at removing plaque than a manual one.

Plaque that doesn’t get removed then hardens into tartar. When it does, brushing and flossing alone can no longer remove it.

You don’t want tartar in your mouth because it causes discoloration. It can turn the affected tooth enamel yellowish, sometimes even brown or black. That can hinder you from achieving a beautiful smile.

Lower Risks of Tooth Decay

The longer tartar remains on the teeth, the more damage it can cause, including cavities.

A cavity or tooth decay at its earliest stages may not hurt immediately. However, once it does, it may already mean the affected tooth has significant damage.

Going to the dentist for a regular dental checkup and cleaning once every six months or so can help prevent tooth decay. After cleaning your pearly whites, your dentist can see if there’s any sign of a tooth cavity. If there is, they can discuss the best dental treatments to correct it and stop it from progressing. 

Maintain Optimal Gum Health

Healthy gums are firm and pale pink, fitting snugly around healthy teeth. You want your gums to have these characteristics, as they keep your teeth in place. After all, they hold and secure your pearly whites in your mouth.

When gums become unhealthy, they can cause or contribute to tooth loss.

Tartar, once again, is a leading culprit behind unhealthy gums. It can cause the gums to become irritated and develop gingivitis.

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, causing gum swelling and redness. Fortunately, your dentist can catch it during a check-up. This is another reason to say hello to your oral healthcare provider regularly.

When dentists reverse gingivitis, they aim to stop a process known as gum recession. This occurs when gingivitis progresses into gum disease.

Gum recession is when gum tissues “recede” or pull back from the teeth. This is one way the teeth can become loose and, over time, fall out. Preventing this is a good enough reason to go for regular dental check-ups. 

Keep Your Breath Smelling Fresh

While certain foods can cause bad breath or halitosis, so do tartar, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Tartar itself carries an unpleasant odor. However, it can also cause halitosis by forming pockets between the gums and the teeth. These spaces can fill with more bacteria that, in turn, emit a bad smell.

Those same bacteria cause tooth decay and gum disease. That’s also why halitosis often accompanies these oral health issues.

Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can reduce odor-causing problems and help you avoid bad breath. 

Keep Your Natural Teeth for Life

Tooth loss isn’t inevitable and is highly preventable. Keeping your natural teeth healthy is also easier and cheaper than teeth replacement.

This is why you should aim to preserve as many of your adult pearly whites as possible. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can help you achieve this goal. 

Fix Bite Issues Before They Cause More Problems

Orthodontics, such as traditional and clear ceramic braces, can help improve your smile. They can do so by correcting and straightening misaligned teeth and jaws.

Contrary to popular belief, though, orthodontic treatments don’t just provide aesthetic benefits. Nor are they just for children and teenagers. They can also help prevent or reduce the risks of the problems bad bites can cause in adults.

For example, crooked teeth are more challenging to clean as they have more nooks and crannies. As a result, they tend to be more susceptible to cavity-causing plaque and tartar.

A bad bite can also contribute to temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). TMD can cause acute and chronic pain, including face, neck, and back pain and headaches.

Regular dental check-ups let your dentist determine if you’re at risk of such problems. They can then recommend the most suitable orthodontic approach to correcting your bite. 

Are You Ready for a Better Smile?

Regular dental check-ups can help keep your teeth and gums healthy. They can also help your dentist catch and fix problems before they worsen.

All that can help you achieve a better smile and maintain optimal oral hygiene.

So, if you’re ready to make your smile healthier, the McIlwain Dental Specialists can help! We proudly serve Tampa Bay and Wesley Chapel residents and have done so for over 40 years.

Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment and discover personalized preventative dental options.