Most dentists recommend that their patients schedule dental checkups for at least every six months or more often, depending on their dental health. At Dentistry by the Lake, we follow the same recommended protocol. If dental checkups and visits are uncomfortable or stressful for you, this might seem like an unappealing schedule, but there are a few important reasons why dental checkups need to be so frequent.
- Clear away buildup: Even if you brush your teeth twice a day or more, you can still have plaque and tartar remaining on your teeth at the end of each day in those hard-to-reach areas on your teeth. Scheduling a regular dental checkup every six months can allow the dentist to carefully and effectively clear away this buildup of plaque and tartar to prevent any issues.
- Reduce risk of decay and infection: Dental checkups can help professionally clean your teeth to remove the buildup but also to ensure the continued health of your teeth and gums. That way, we can help reduce the risk of any tooth decay or gum infections.
- Check for dental changes: In addition to cleaning and protecting your teeth and gums, a dental checkup can also include checking for changes in your teeth, bite, and gums. This can help us to identify and resolve any early warning signs of cavities, gum disease, decay, or other oral and dental concerns that are better to resolve right away rather than ignoring the warning signs and allowing the issues to exacerbate between poorly scheduled dental checkups.