7 Invaluable Benefits of Routine Dental Visits
Are regular dental visits a priority on your busy schedule? They should be. Regular dental exams and dental cleanings help prevent more costly procedures down the road. During the visit, your dentist can also spot warning signs of diseases that could affect your overall health.
Below, Irma A. Francisco, DDS, and our dental team based in San Jose, California, outline seven benefits of routine dental cleanings.
1. Identify and treat cavities and other dental issues early
At regular checkups, Dr. Francisco can identify early signs of dental problems. Treating a cavity or cracked tooth in the early stages can prevent more troublesome and costly procedures down the road, such as a crown or root canal. A filling is much less expensive and involved.
2. Keep your teeth sparkling white
Your oral hygiene may be stellar, but regular brushing and flossing can’t prevent some plaque, a film of bacteria and saliva, from becoming tartar, a hardened form of plaque. Only a professional cleaning with our specialized tools can remove tartar buildup from your teeth.
Removing plaque and tartar can also help address stains on teeth. Regular dental cleanings help keep your smile bright.
3. Help prevent gum disease
Among US adults over 30, more than 40% have gum disease. Over 70% of seniors 65 and older have it. We can identify early gum disease, called gingivitis, when we clean your teeth. Regular teeth cleanings and good oral hygiene using fluoride toothpaste can help stop gingivitis.
Gingivitis that goes unchecked becomes periodontitis, when your gums separate from your teeth. If this condition advances, you may need an expensive gum graft to avoid tooth loss.
4. Check for oral cancer
Dr. Francisco checks your mouth for signs of oral cancer. It’s painless and only takes a minute. Oral cancer not detected in its beginning stages could be life-threatening. Early treatment improves outcomes.
5. Help prevent cavities with fluoride treatment
Receiving a fluoride treatment at your dental visit helps prevent cavities. Professional treatment contains more fluoride than your toothpaste.
6. Get oral health recommendations
Dr. Francisco is the best source of knowledge for your oral health questions. She shows you correct brushing and flossing techniques and gives you guidance on oral health products. Dr. Francisco and our team can equip you to maintain a beautiful smile.
7. Explain the connection between oral health and general health
Researchers have connected gum disease to heart disease and other serious health issues. Bacteria from gum disease can move into your bloodstream and inflame your blood vessels and heart valves, leading to a heart attack or other vascular events.
To stay on top of your oral health, call Irma A. Francisco, DDS, or request an appointment online today to schedule your next dental cleaning and exam.