You should not make an appointment with your dentist only when you experience an oral or dental problem that needs to be addressed. Some people only seek treatment when an issue escalates. Regular dentist visits are encouraged to prevent minor, moderate, and severe oral and dental problems, including cavities and gum disease. Prevention is always better, easier, and less costly than treatment. That is why you should regularly visit your dentist’s office, at least every six months, for dental checkups, examinations, and professional teeth cleaning. There are several benefits to this habit, which include the following:

For Early Detection of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a cancer that develops in the oropharynx or the mouth. It mainly develops in the cells that line your mouth and throat. It can start as a lump, soreness, or white patches in the mouth that do not go away, even after treatment. Once it develops, it can spread to other areas within the mouth, including the tongue, lips, floor or roof of your mouth, cheek linings, and the back of your throat. Oral cancer is an aggressive type of cancer that spreads quickly, causing so much damage in a short period.

However, it can be treated if it is detected early. This can happen through a thorough mouth examination by a skilled dentist. A qualified dentist will notice some of the signs and symptoms, ask a few questions regarding your lifestyle and habits like smoking and alcohol consumption, and run a few tests to detect cancer at onset. Note that smokers, people who excessively consume alcohol, and those with HPV or whose lips have prolonged exposure to the sun are at a higher risk of developing oral cancer.

When you visit a dentist with an oral or dental problem, they pay more attention to the issue at hand, and not much time is spent examining your teeth, gums, and other structures within your mouth. However, regular visits to a dentist’s office give your dentist ample time to discuss your oral and dental health. They conduct a thorough checkup of your teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, the floor and roof of your mouth, the throat, and the underlying structures of your teeth, including the jawbone. Your dentist can also ask detailed questions about any abnormalities in your mouth, review your treatment history, and discuss detrimental habits that could cause some of your symptoms.

Early detection of oral cancer is possible through these detailed checkups. Any lump, thickening, or patch in your mouth is treated with suspicion. The dentist then conducts further tests to determine the cause of your symptoms. If oral cancer is detected early, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, or radiation can effectively treat it before it worsens and spreads to other parts of your body.

For Prevention and Early Detection of Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a common problem for people of all ages. It can affect children, teenagers, youth, and adults. Tooth decay occurs when your natural tooth's enamel becomes compromised, affecting its general structure and exposing the tooth’s underlying structures to infection-causing elements. Tooth decay is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. However, it is a problem you can prevent through proper oral hygiene habits. A developing cavity can also be treated, and your natural tooth saved on time before so much damage is done.

Tooth decay mainly occurs due to poor oral hygiene habits. When you fail to keep your mouth clean, oral bacteria combine with dirt and foods in the mouth to produce a strong acid that builds up on your gums and teeth. The buildup starts slowly and worsens as the process repeats itself. The buildup continues, releasing a strong acid that corrodes the enamel, the outer part of your natural teeth. The acid is strong enough to weaken and break the enamel. A cavity forms and continues to widen and deepen as the acid penetrates deeper into the affected tooth.

Tooth decay can affect one or multiple teeth at the same time. It can progress slowly or quickly, depending on how well, or otherwise, you clean your teeth. Dentists recommend brushing twice daily and flossing daily to remove all foods and beverages remaining in your mouth after eating or drinking. When cleaning your teeth, you must reach all parts of your mouth to remove any food that could encourage the growth of harmful bacteria.

Regular dental visits are good because you learn how and when to brush your teeth to keep your mouth clean at all times. Dentists also examine your teeth for tooth decay during these visits. If you have a developing cavity, your dentist will treat it immediately to stop it from worsening and save your tooth. Dentists also offer professional teeth cleaning during these regular visits. Professional cleaning removes any food and dirt left in your mouth and any buildup on your teeth and gums. They reduce your risk of tooth decay by a significant percentage.

For Prevention and Early Detection of Gum Disease

Gum, or periodontal, disease is a severe inflammation that affects your gums and the structures that support your natural teeth. It is also one of the leading causes of tooth loss. It is a common oral condition that starts early and escalates if not treated. It spreads from the gums to the teeth’s underlying structures and can affect your general health.

Gum disease is mainly caused by harmful oral bacteria that cause plaque buildup on the gums and teeth. When the existing oral bacteria combine with foods that remain trapped in your mouth after eating, it causes a reaction that releases an acid that builds up on your teeth and gums.

In the early stages of this condition, you will experience gingivitis, whose symptoms include swollen, reddish, and bleeding gums. When plaque builds up on the gums, it causes an inflammation of the gums, which makes them swollen, red, and sensitive. They easily bleed, especially when brushing or eating. If you do not treat gingivitis immediately after noticing it, it escalates into periodontal disease. This causes more damage to your gums and an infection that can spread to your entire body.

Therefore, periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an advanced stage of gingivitis. It occurs when the inflammation on the gums spreads below your gum line, widening and deepening your gum pockets. The inflammation then becomes an infection that spreads to the underlying tissues and bone that support your teeth. When the structures supporting your teeth are affected, your teeth become wobbly and could start falling out.

Gum disease is preventable through proper oral hygiene habits. Dentists encourage these during regular dental checkups. The disease can also be effectively treated at onset. Remember that regular dental checkups include checking the health of your gums. If your dentist notices any symptoms of gingivitis or gum disease, they can treat it immediately before the infection spreads to your teeth’s underlying structures and the rest of your body. Professional teeth cleaning, which is also offered during regular checkups, takes care of the buildup that encourages the growth of harmful bacteria that cause gum disease.

For Learning Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Oral hygiene is critical in keeping your teeth healthy, strong, functional, and beautiful. Taking good care of your teeth and mouth is one way to improve your general health. Your oral health affects your general health. An oral or dental problem can affect your general health. That is why dentists insist on good oral hygiene habits, to ensure you take good care of your teeth and their supporting structures, including the gums and jawbone.

Healthy teeth are beautiful and functional. The health of your teeth largely determines your smile. You will not smile confidently if your teeth are discolored, stained, misaligned, or have cavities. Your eating or biting abilities and speech are also affected by the health of your teeth.

Dentists offer a wide range of treatments for oral and dental problems that affect the health and beauty of your teeth. However, they insist on preventive measures that keep your natural teeth healthy, strong, and appealing. Good oral hygiene habits include brushing twice daily and flossing to remove stuck food between teeth. You need a soft-bristled and dentist-recommended brush to reach all parts of your mouth and brush effectively. A soft-bristled brush will be gentle on the soft tissues within your mouth, including the gums. You also need a fluoride-based toothpaste to clean your teeth and keep the enamel strong.

Although you can get this information from various places today, including the internet, dentists explain it better during regular dental visits. After examining your teeth, gums, and bone, your dentist can recommend improving your oral hygiene habits based on their findings. You also learn harmful habits that could damage your teeth, including grinding, biting or chewing hard substances, or using your teeth as tools. If you habitually smoke or grind your teeth, your dentist will guide you on ways you can stop or protect your teeth from further damage.

You can also learn the best products to include in your oral hygiene, including mouthwashes, to improve your oral health. You get to ask questions and receive detailed responses during these visits.

If these habits are learned from an early age, a child can keep their teeth healthy and strong for years without worrying much about common dental issues like cavities and gum disease.

For Unlearning Harmful Habits for Your Oral Health

Most of the oral and dental issues you experience are self-inflicted. Some of your habits are detrimental to your oral health and general well-being. For example, if you consume more sugary and starchy foods, you encourage the growth of oral bacteria in your mouth. This puts you at risk of gum disease and cavities. Also, if you fail to practice good oral hygiene, your mouth becomes a perfect breeding ground for dangerous cavity-causing bacteria. Some of the habits you ignore or overlook can cause you a severe dental issue that will take you time and cost tons of money to treat.

The use of tobacco is another common habit that affects your oral and general health. Whether you smoke or chew tobacco, you increase your risk of experiencing bad breath, gum disease, and oral cancer. If, during regular dental visits, your dentist notices that your tobacco consumption is affecting your oral health. They will discuss it with you. They can also help you develop a strategy through which you will reduce or stop smoking or chewing tobacco.

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is another common habit you need to unlearn for improved oral and general health. This is a habit you unconsciously engage in that slowly wears down your enamel, which puts you at risk of cavities and tooth loss. A similar habit that has almost the same effect as teeth grinding is biting nails. These three habits are also leading causes of TMJ disorders.

Using your natural teeth as tools to open bottles or packages is also a damaging habit for your teeth. You risk damaging your teeth, which can result in tooth loss or cost you a lot of money to treat. Your dentist will also discuss other habits that seem harmless but are harmful to your teeth and gums, like frequent snacking. Most snacks are sugary or starchy. They expose your teeth to dangerous acids that wear down your enamel, increasing your risk of cavities.

During regular dental visits, your dentist has enough time to discuss some of your harmful habits and how they are affecting, or will likely affect, your oral health. They will help you unlearn these habits gradually as you replace them with good habits that will improve your oral and general health.

For Professional Teeth Cleaning

Although you can book an appointment with your dentist exclusively for professional teeth cleaning, this is one of the services you receive during regular dental examinations and checkups. Dentists recommend professional teeth cleaning at least twice yearly for improved oral health and as a preventive tool for everyday problems like cavities and gum disease.

Professional teeth cleaning, or dental prophylaxis, is a preventive routine performed by a general dentist or dental hygienist to remove dirt, food debris, and buildup from your teeth and gums. It also includes scaling, flossing, and polishing your teeth for a cleaner mouth and a beautiful smile.

Scaling entails removing any buildup that could have accumulated on your teeth and gums since the previous cleaning session. Remember that plaque and tartar lead to gum disease and tooth decay. The dentist uses a special tool to remove the buildup without damaging your gums or teeth.

Polishing entails smoothing the surfaces of your natural teeth to make it difficult for plaque to build up. Flossing removes any food and debris that could be stuck between your teeth. Professional teeth cleaning also includes fluoride treatment, essential to strengthen your enamel against acid attack.

In addition to reducing your risk of gum disease and cavities, professional cleaning improves oral health. It improves the health of your teeth and gums, prevents bad breath, and improves your smile.

Inspecting the Function of Dental Restoration

If you were previously treated for tooth loss, bad bite, cavities, gum disease, or malocclusion, your dentist will inspect the effectiveness of your treatment during regular dental checkups and examinations. This is important to ensure that the treatment works well and to avoid further complications that could affect your oral health and cost more.

For example, if you wear braces to align your misaligned, spaced, or uneven teeth, your dentist will ensure your treatment progresses. If there is a problem with your braces, they will fix it immediately to continue treatment and ensure you enjoy excellent results at the end of the treatment period.

If you have a dental filling, crown, or bridge, the dentist will take some time to inspect how well your treatment is going. If you need to repeat the treatment, your dentist will do it immediately. You should discuss any issues or concerns you have with your treatments with your dentist during these visits. For example, if you experience pain or sensitivity, report it for immediate treatment.

Find a Competent General Dentist Near Me

Good oral hygiene habits are recommended as the primary preventive measure for oral and dental issues. It includes brushing and flossing your teeth daily and visiting your dentist regularly for dental checkups, examinations, and teeth cleaning. Regular visits offer several benefits, including preventing severe oral problems like cavities and gum disease, preventing oral cancer, and improving oral and general health.

At Tayani Dental Group, we recommend regular visits to the dentist’s office at least twice yearly. It gives your dentist time to examine your teeth, gums, and the underlying structures for symptoms that could result in severe oral problems. You also discuss your treatment history and how to improve your oral health during these visits. Our skilled and experienced general dentists in Fullerton are usually available for these visits whenever you are ready. Call us at 949-741-0795 to book a checkup and treatment appointment and learn more about our services.