Prevention: Regular Dental Visits
Symptoms
Red, swollen, bleeding gums; yellow or brown buildup at your gum line or in front teeth; tooth sensitivity to hot or cold; chronic bad breath; lingering tooth pain; a sore that won’t heal
The above symptoms may be signs that you are not visiting the dentist enough and have deteriorating oral health.
The American Dental Association recommends visiting the dentist every six months for a good reason. The dentist will be checking the health of your teeth and gums and providing preventive care. Depending on the current status of your oral health, your dentist may recommend a higher frequency of visits.
During a regular visit, the dentist will perform a variety of examinations. This includes checking for plaque and tartar, tooth decay, and examining the head, neck, tongue, mouth, jaw, and gums. X-rays can be taken, and your mouth will be checked for oral cancer.
Everyone develops plaque because bacteria in constantly growing in our mouth. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that develops over our teeth and around our gum line. Regular brushing and flossing will remove this and prevent cavities or gum disease. If not removed, the plaque will harden, attaching to the enamel of your teeth. At this stage, it has turned into tartar. The only way to remove tartar is by professional care from a dentist or hygienist. Tartar will cause inflammation in your gums and lead to gingivitis or periodontitis.
Tartar, unlike plaque, is easy to spot. It is a mineral buildup that is yellow or brown in color. This buildup can be found between the lower front teeth or at the gum line. A lot of what we eat contributes to the buildup of plaque and tartar, mainly sugars and carbohydrates.
Seeing your dentist regularly will allow you to catch problems early before they become more serious and most likely more expensive.
Prevention
- Brush teeth thoroughly at least twice a day to remove all plaque from the surfaces of your teeth
- Floss daily to remove the plaque between your teeth and under your gum line
- Limit sugary snacks
- Visit the dentist at least every six months for professional cleaning and examinations