If you can’t even remember the last time you visited the dentist, maybe it’s time to reconsider your priorities. While dental visits are not the most exciting thing that can happen in someone’s life, they are essential for keeping your teeth and gums in optimal health.
At Smilemakers, we recommend our patients visit the dentist in Southampton at least twice a year. Even if you brush and floss your teeth thoroughly on a daily basis, chances are that plaque has developed in hard-to-reach areas in your mouth. Moreover, most oral conditions have no visible symptoms in their early stages and it is easy to miss them. Only our dentist in Southampton can make an accurate diagnosis.
Here are a few important reasons for not missing your next dental check-up.
Tooth decay
One of the most common oral diseases among adults worldwide, tooth decay is created by food particles that are left to decompose between your teeth and gums, gradually eroding your tooth enamel. While daily brushing and flossing can prevent tooth decay to a certain extent, only a dentist can remove plaque from your teeth during a regular dental check-up and cleaning. Missing this appointment allows bacteria to flourish and will put your oral health in danger in the long run.
Gum disease
Gum disease can be caused by untreated tooth decay. Gums are designed to protect your teeth and keep them securely in place. Bacteria can infect the gums, cause them to swell and bleed and even cause them to detach from the tooth enamel. Gum disease can easily go undetected because it is hardly painful at its early stage, therefore seeing your dentist in Southampton regularly for a dental check-up is essential.
Oral cancer
During a routine dental check-up, your dentist in Southampton will look for signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer is on the rise in recent years, especially among male smokers over 35. Your dentist will examine your mouth and soft tissues carefully and look for abnormal signs such as abscesses or lesions. Oral cancer has a higher survival rate if it is diagnosed and treated at an early stage.
