Do you visit your dentist for a check-up every six months? That’s the standard advice; however, at Smilemakers in Southampton we know that some people need to come more frequently, whilst others need to come less often. You should always follow the advice your dentist gives you and have a check-up as many times as they tell you to.
A survey conducted as part of National Smile Month 2016 found that half of UK adults visit their dentist twice a year for a general check-up, whilst 21% visit once a year. Only 2% of the UK population have never visited a dentist in their life.
It is important to have regular dental check-ups for several reasons – not just for your oral health, but for your general health and wellbeing, too. At Smilemakers in Southampton we welcome new patients of all ages for general dental consultations.
Whether you are new to the Southampton area or have decided to move from another practice, whether you visit a dentist regular as clockwork every six months or you haven’t been in many years, you will be guaranteed a caring, professional and non-judgemental service at Smilemakers – no matter what treatment you might need.
We are focussed on preventative dentistry at our Southampton clinic, and in many cases your dentist is able to spot the very early warning signs of common conditions such as gum disease or tooth decay, often before you have noticed anything yourself.
The problem with both tooth decay and gum disease is that there often aren’t many early symptoms to notice at home. Bleeding gums is often the first indicator of gum disease, whilst tooth decay is usually marked out by pain.
Thanks to the advanced techniques used at Smilemakers in Southampton, your dentist is often able to spot these conditions very early indeed, making treatment much quicker, simpler, less invasive, and less expensive.
Because studies have linked gum disease to a range of general health conditions, from diabetes to strokes, rheumatoid arthritis to heart disease, spotting and treating it early is vital. Both gum disease and tooth decay can lead to tooth loss, which can affect your ability to eat healthily.