Your Dentist in Greensboro Discusses the Importance of Dental Checkups

Before diving into your lengthy spring-cleaning to-do list, why not start with a visit to your dentist in Greensboro to make sure your mouth is healthy and clean? We know you can’t wait to get outside, strap on your gardening gloves and begin planting those beautiful tulips, but it’s important to take care of yourself before caring for your garden. Discover why annual checkups are important to your oral health and what can happen if you avoid the dentist chair.

Springtime is the Perfect Time for a Checkup

Admit it: You’ve got your list of what you want to accomplish during this year’s spring-cleaning extravaganza on the refrigerator. Clean the garage. Plant the tulips. Purge the closets. As you make your way down the list, you see “Go to the dentist” at the bottom. Why not move it to the top to start off your spring with a refreshingly clean smile?

Spring is the ideal time to see your dentist. The cold, barren days of winter are behind you, and if the last time you saw your dentist was when you were breaking out the boots and scarves, it’s probably time to for your six-month checkup.

The Importance of Regular Cleanings

Maintaining a routine six-month cleaning schedule should be a priority. While it may be difficult to remember when you need to visit your dentist, one of the easiest tips is to simply schedule them ahead of time or during special times of the year. Since spring is all about cleaning and fresh starts, why not plan to have your teeth cleaned at the start of the season?

Although your dental team loves to see your smiling face when you walk through the door every six months, there’s a more important reason for these visits, and it’s ensuring your oral health is in tip-top shape. During your visit, your dentist will:

• Capture diagnostic images
• Clean your teeth
• Screen for oral health conditions
• Consult with you to personalize a plan to keep your smile healthy
• Ask if you have any questions about your oral health or general dentistry services

Your six-month checkup is a great way to detect any problem or issue in its early stages. That way, you and your dentist can determine the best possible solution that’s right for you.

Neglecting Your Teeth? Not a Good Idea

Should you decide that a six-month checkup isn’t necessary, you could be putting your oral health in danger. If you think bleeding gums aren’t a big deal, guess again. Don’t want to bother with that toothache, but instead continue to take an over-the-counter pain reliever to deal with it? Bad idea. When you neglect to take proper care of your teeth and gums, there can be serious consequences, such as:

• Gum Disease. If your gums are puffy, red, irritated, or bleeding, it is probably a good sign that you have gum disease. During your visit, your dentist may notice bacteria around the gum line. If it can be easily removed, you’re looking at gingivitis, a mild stage of gum disease. However, if your teeth feel loose, it has progressed to periodontitis. This can result in tooth loss if not properly treated.
• Cavities. When plaque builds on the surface of your teeth, it causes tooth decay to develop. Bacteria can burrow into your teeth and create holes (cavities). If your dentist notices you have a cavity, you’ll need to schedule another appointment to have it filled and prevent further infection.
• Bone Loss. Are you missing a tooth? Have you let gum disease become more advanced? If so, you may be looking at serious bone loss that can cause problems with your overall oral health. Allowing open sockets to remain vacated can cause the bone to deteriorate and nearby teeth to shift, causing problems with your facial structure and tooth alignment. Advanced gum disease can lead to missing teeth because the bone is no longer strong enough to hold them in place.

Now that you know why it’s important to see your dentist for a regular cleaning, why not start your spring off with a healthy, refreshing smile? Not only will you feel better, but it’ll be one more to-do item you can check off your spring-cleaning list!

About the Author
Dr. David M. Fisher, Jr., DDS, attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He then went on to the University of North Carolina and earned his DDS. Dr. Fisher and his team want to give you the smile you deserve, which is why you can expect quality care in a warm and welcoming environment. You can expect a customized treatment plan for all preventative care and why the best defense is a good offense! To learn more about our services, contact us via our website or by calling (336) 288-1242.