If you don’t have a painful cavity or suffer from any other obvious dental problems, you may wonder why you should schedule a check-up with your dentist. However, to optimize your oral health, the American Dental Association recommends that you see your dentist regularly for preventive dental care.
At Nobel Dentistry in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles, California, we suggest that you schedule preventive care appointments twice each year, or every six months. Here are the top reasons why Abraham Nobel, DDS, MPH, our skilled and knowledgeable dentist, recommends bi-annual dental check-ups and cleanings.
At your dental check-up, Dr. Nobel uses advanced digital dentistry to inspect each of your teeth, your gums, and check your bite. In most cases, we’ll get a new set of X-rays to see if there’s anything going on below the surface. Common problems that are often caught early and treated before they progress are:
Your dentist is also trained to look for signs and symptoms of oral cancer, which may include loose teeth, white patches in your mouth, sores or lumps, pain, and difficulty swallowing. Sadly, more than 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. However, if the cancer is caught early, the 5-year survival rate is 84%.
You brush and floss routinely, but nothing can compare to the thorough clean you get from a dental hygienist. Using special instruments and equipment, your hygienist scrapes away plaque and tartar that have accumulated on your teeth. If left on your teeth too long, you can develop a range of problems, such as decay, bad breath, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss. In addition to removing plaque and stains, you can include a teeth whitening session to help lighten and brighten your smile.
Regular visits for preventive care help you maintain the health of your teeth and gums so that you don’t have to make expensive repairs for fillings, root canals, tooth extractions, crowns, or implants.
Oral health is closely linked to several serious health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and osteoporosis. To optimize your overall health, it’s imperative to invest in your oral health as well. To book a comprehensive dental check-up and professional cleaning, either call us today to schedule an appointment or book your visit online.
