Are Two Yearly Dental Checkups Enough?

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Town Center Dentistry in Rancho Bernardo tells you why you need two dental check ups each and every year. Is two checkups enough - read below to find out.

You’ve heard the rule before: visit your dentist every six months. Twice a year, you may even receive postcards from your dentist that read, “It’s time for your check-up!”

But is it really necessary to go that often?

Yes, it is. Even if you take good care of your teeth and gums at home, your dentist can check for problems that you may not be aware of. Gum disease, cavities, and oral cancer are examples of dental problems that don’t become visible or cause pain until they’re in advanced stages. But your dentist can help catch them early.

For most people, two yearly visits to the dentist are enough.  But some people with a high risk for dental disease may need to go every three or four months. This high-risk group includes:

  • Pregnant women
  • Diabetics
  • Smokers
  • Those with gum disease
  • Those with weak immune response to bacterial infections
  • Those who tend to get cavities or plaque build-up

Your dentist will tell you how often to schedule your appointments.

The benefits of regular dental visits

Whether you come see us twice a year or four times a year, your visits are a big part of maintaining your oral health.  We’re not just giving you that super clean feeling you get when you run your tongue along your teeth after a professional cleaning – we’re also helping you stay in great health. Regular visits to your dentist help you:

Fight cavities

Yes, the brushing and flossing you do every day helps fight cavities, too. But there are some nooks and crannies in your mouth that you miss. We see it all, and we clean it up for you. We get rid of the plaque buildup that leads to tooth decay.

Keep your teeth

The plaque that builds up by the gum line also leads to gum disease, which can potentially move down the tooth and into the bone that supports it. This causes your teeth to loosen and fall out. The combination of professional dental cleanings and daily oral care helps prevent that from happening.

Brighten your pearly whites

Regular teeth cleaning from your dentist helps remove stains caused by your favorite cabernet, earl grey, espresso macchiato, tobacco, and other foods, drinks, and medications.

Prevent bad breath

Gum disease and food lodged between your teeth in hard-to-reach places can cause halitosis, a condition of offensive-smelling bad breath.  When we can get in there on a regular basis to clean up the plaque build-up, we’re also keeping an eye out for signs of gum disease, so we can treat it before it causes problems. Additionally, we can let you know which nooks and crannies to pay special attention to during your daily oral maintenance routine. By working together, we can help address and prevent bad breath.

Stay healthy

Periodontal disease (gum disease) can spread bacteria to other parts of your body, affecting your systemic health. Visits to your dentist can help treat and prevent gum disease before it harms your overall health. As implausible as it may sound, regular dental cleanings can actually help lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other serious conditions.

Schedule your appointment today

If you don’t know when you’re due for a checkup, give us a call at Town Center Dentistry in San Diego. We’ll look up your records and let you know. If you have concerns about your oral health or if you’re a new patient, we’ll get you in as soon as possible.