For some people, calling a dentist happens only when there’s a toothache, sore gums, or a similar issue. The fact is that the most practical approach is to see a dentist regularly and take advantage of everything that preventive dentistry has to offer. What’s the point of taking this approach? Here are some examples.

Treatment is Easier When the Problem is Caught Early
Routine dental visits are ideal for checking the general condition of the teeth and seeing if some issue is developing. Should the dentist find some condition that has come to pass since your last visit, it’s much easier to treat it now. If you were to wait until that issue worsened to the point of pain and possibly some infection, the treatment would be more complex and potentially take longer to resolve the issue. By seeing a dentist regularly, you stand to avoid quite a bit of pain as well as cost.
Correcting Poor Dental Habits Before They Cause Problems
Poor dental hygiene habits are easy to form and hard to break. They become even harder to correct when you don’t see a dentist regularly. That’s because there’s no one reminding you of what needs to change or providing practical suggestions on how to take better care of your teeth.
There’s more motivation to correct those bad habits and do better with someone advocating for your dental health. That, in turn, decreases the chances of needing some type of procedure down the road.
Procedures That Prepare You for Better Dental Health
At times, procedures are needed, even if your teeth are in top shape. Cleanings are a prime example. They get rid of what’s left after you brush and floss. This helps to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
You may also have some crowding that would eventually cause some teeth to lean or slant a little. In this scenario, the dentist may remove your wisdom tooth and eliminate the overcrowding. The result is that the remaining teeth fill in the gap and remain straight.
Increasing the Odds of Keeping Your Real Teeth
All the preventive efforts of the dental team come together and increase the odds that you will have a full set of healthy teeth for more years. While there may still come a time when they have to go, and you end up with dentures or implants, the odds of this happening are lower. For this reason alone, it makes sense to see your dentist for an annual exam, go in for at least a couple of cleanings a year, and maybe even see if some whitening treatments are in order.
If it’s been some time since you saw a dentist, there’s no point in waiting any longer. Find one who is near you and is currently accepting new patients. Schedule an appointment for a full dental exam and use the results to plan your future dental care. While it may take some effort to get into the habit of seeing the dentist a few times a year, you can bet that it will be worth it.
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