3 Reasons You Shouldn’t Skip Your Biannual Dental Cleanings

Dental professionals emphasize the importance of biannual checkups to help prevent oral health problems and safeguard your overall well-being. Skipping dental exams can allow plaque and tartar to build up and threaten your dental and gum health, increasing the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and subsequent tooth loss.

Maintaining your biannual dental visits can help you save money in the long run and avoid unnecessary discomfort from compromised dental health. Most importantly, dental exams help identify potential oral and overall health concerns before they manifest into full-blown issues.

The following are a few key reasons why you should keep up with your biannual dental appointments:

Identify Possible Oral Health Issues

Dental checkups include various procedures to maintain healthy gums and teeth. The dentist uses specialized mirrors and lights to examine your teeth and look for signs of tooth decay.

In addition, the expert looks for symptoms of periodontal disease to determine your risk or the stage of gum disease. The probe determines the pocket depth on the gums to verify if you have periodontal disease.

Sometimes, your dentist may recommend x-rays to examine your teeth, gums, and jaws. The images can identify deterioration in tooth roots and bone decay, providing valuable insight into your overall oral health.

Dental Deep Cleaning and Plaque Removal

Regular brushing and flossing are vital for good dental health. However, it may not be enough to eliminate plaque and tarter in hard-to-reach areas. Dental experts use specialized tools to clean plaque that can compromise your teeth when left unattended. In addition, they may use electric brushes and advanced cleaning agents for a deep cleaning that is impossible to achieve at home.

The dentist may also give you a fluoride treatment that shields your teeth and gums until your next visit. Additionally, your dentist can recommend oral health best practices to help you maintain great dental hygiene and avoid oral complications.

Overall Health Checkup

Your biannual dental cleaning benefits more than your teeth. Oral health touches the palate, tongue, gums, lips, cheek, and throat. Dentists can detect signs of cancer and other ailments by examining the related areas for signs like sores and white or red patches. In addition, untreated gum disease can contribute to health issues including high blood pressure and heart disease. Your dentist will check your gums for signs of periodontal disease during your exam.

Dental checkups may reveal other potential health conditions like diabetes, thyroid disease, and cardiovascular disease, which can exhibit oral symptoms. It’s vital to maintain regular preventive dental appointments to avoid broader health complications.

Maintaining Your Biannual Dentist Appointments

Skipping regular oral exams can increase your risk of developing health conditions. Many systemic health issues are manageable if discovered early. If your biannual dental checkup reveals signs of underlying medical conditions, your dentist can recommend subsequent follow-ups with specialists to further investigate the problem. Early detection and prevention are two of the best tools you have to defend your oral health.

Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula

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Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula has been practicing dentistry for over 15 years. After advanced training at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, she relocated to Orange County, CA in 2015. Dr. Chitra is a member of the American Dental Association and California Dental Association. Committed to continuous education, she provides top-quality dental services using the latest advancements.

Dr. Joseph C. Yang

Dr. Joseph C. Yang has over 20 years of dental practice experience. He earned his B.S. from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and his D.D.S. from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He then had a distinguished 25-year career as a U.S. Naval Dental Officer, including a residency in Periodontology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Yang is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a member of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Periodontology. As a board-certified Periodontist, he has performed thousands of successful periodontal and implant procedures. He is also a renowned lecturer and trainer in the latest implant and periodontal techniques worldwide.