How Often Do You Really Need to Visit the Dentist?

Health & Fitness

Visiting the dentist is one of many people’s least favorite things to do, all that drilling and digging about in your mouth is hardly enjoyable and as such, keeping your teeth in great condition is worth doing. It’s not just the visiting of dentists that can cause problems, even finding a good dentist isn’t easy, especially if you are looking for a dentist with not just great skills, but also a calming bedside manner. I recently had an issue when I was traveling and spent an age searching for dentists in Fremantle, thankfully the one that I found was friendly, helpful and got the job done.

As much as you may want to avoid it, and even if you do have healthy teeth, you do need to get your teeth checked up on from time to time, just to make sure that everything is healthy in your teeth and gums, so how often should you really be visiting the dentist?

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Problem Free

If you look after your teeth through regular brushing and the avoidance of foods or activities that can cause damage to your teeth then an annual check-up is all you will need at the dentist. This annual check-up will just be so that the dentist can spot any changes in the way your teeth are growing or if any small problems are developing. IF you do look after your teeth then this check-up should be quick and very painless.

Possible Problems

Some activities that you can do to risk the health of your teeth included smoking, not brushing regularly, eating a lot of sugary foods and drinking a lot of things like coffee and red wine which will stain your teeth.  If you fall into this category then you are at a much higher risk of having dental problems and you should be going for a check-up at least twice a year if not 3 times. If you are high risk and you are getting regular check-ups then this will allow your dentist to spot any problems which you may develop early, the dentist can then start any treatments that he needs to make before the problem becomes bigger. Also if you are pregnant or are undergoing chemotherapy then you should also be getting regular check-ups.

Children

If you have children then it is important that you take them to the dentist at least twice a year, this is the time when the teeth are growing the most and if any corrections need to be made to straighten the teeth, then these should be done at an early to improve the chances of success. You don’t need to take your child to the dentist every time one of their baby teeth fall out but staying in regular contact with your dentist throughout this time will help your child best when it comes to the future of their adult teeth.

Nobody loves going to the dentist and the best course of action is to live a life then helps you to keep your teeth healthy, this way you can have an annual check-up that should be problem free.

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Your Teeth Are Your Biggest Reason to Smile

Health & Fitness

There are many reasons in life to smile, one of which would be your teeth.

That said not everyone has the best experiences when it comes to their teeth.

Through genetics, not taking care of their teeth, or quite frankly bad luck over the years (accidents, breaks etc.), many people discover it to be an uphill battle to have nice, healthy teeth.

As a result, they end up without the nicest of teeth, not to mention some rather lengthy financial bills when all is said and done.

So, how can you give your teeth the best chance at staying with you for many decades to come?

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Dentist is Your Best Friend

First and foremost, family dental care should be a priority from a young age on up.

With the right care, individuals can enjoy their teeth for many years to come, along with keeping their dental bills to a minimum.

If you’re not sure what you have been doing wrong in trying to keep your teeth healthy, keep these items on your to-do list:

  • See a dentist regularly – While many people grew up with the routine of visiting the dentist every six months, others are lucky if they get there once a year (if that). In order to give your teeth a fighting chance, make sure to schedule regular dental visits (especially if you have children). Given that many insurance plans cover regular dental cleanings (sometimes prescribed X-rays too), there really is no reason to not see your dentist at least once a year. Your dentist can catch issues that you as the patient may not notice. From gingivitis to early forming cavities, your dentist can be your teeth’s best friend;
  • Brush regularly – You’ve probably had this ingrained in your head since childhood, but brushing regularly truly does give your teeth the opportunity to last you many years. Along with flossing regularly, brushing is important for a number of reasons, notably because it holds you over in between dental visits. If you do notice any discomfort and/or bleeding, it may not necessarily be a problem. Some people’s gums bleed due to sensitivity, while some of that bleeding can be due to the fact you are actually getting in to areas that need attention. If you are having regular bleeding, notice foul breath, and see that your gum lines are receding and/or spacing between your teeth is becoming an issue, seek dental care as soon as possible;
  • Avoid injuries – As tough as your teeth may be, they are susceptible to personal injury just as other parts of your body are. With that being the case, it is important to protect them as much as possible. If you play contact sports (especially children), be sure to wear a mouth-guard. Also be careful when eating foods that could easily break a tooth, things like hard candy, pretzels, nuts and more. If you do break a tooth or worse, seek medical help immediately;
  • Eat the right foods and avoid sugary drinks – If you have to eat sweets, by all means brush as soon as possible afterwards. Foods that are high in sugary content and/or sticky can damage teeth over time. The same applies for sugary drinks (notably sodas). If you must drink soda, sipping it through a straw is better, along with making sure you brush your teeth as soon as possible. Along with being bad for your stomach due to its acidic content, sodas can eat away at teeth’s enamel, not to mention leave stains over time. Lastly, talk to your dentist about drinks that will not be harmful to your teeth. Drinking water is best of all, especially right after consuming a Coke or Pepsi.

Keeping your teeth healthy doesn’t have to be a painful and expensive task in life.

By starting with regular dental visits at an early age, continuing through much of your adulthood, and watching what you eat and drink, your teeth can literally last you the rest of your life.

As for those individuals afraid to go to the dentist, just think of what life would be like with many of your teeth missing over time.

Yep, that’s not something to smile over.

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