When life gets busy, it’s easy to put off things you don’t want to do. Unfortunately, if you’re like many other people, one of those “to-do” items might be your six-month dental checkups.
While it may feel tempting to skip a dental visit here and there, the best way to keep your teeth clean and consistently have excellent oral health is to visit your Winston-Salem dentist regularly.
Below, we briefly discuss three reasons never to skip your dental exams:
#1 We Can Catch Cavities Early On
Have you ever known you have a cavity just based on the pain and sensitivity you feel in your tooth? Unfortunately, by the time cavities become symptomatic and you realize they’re there, it’s usually because they’ve been growing larger for a while. Although we can still fill these cavities, it does mean losing more of your natural tooth and dealing with increased sensitivity.
When you visit your Winston-Salem dentist for routine dental exams, we take the necessary x-rays and can detect cavities early on—before they ever become large enough to interfere with your life.
#2 We Screen You for Oral Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, dentists will diagnose approximately 53,000 American adults with oral cancer during 2020. Although oral cancer is common among smokers and those who drink alcohol heavily, about 25% of oral cancer patients don’t have any risk factors.
Because oral cancer can happen to anyone, you should visit the dentist at least every six months for routine oral cancer screenings.
#3 We Clean Your Teeth in Ways You Can’t
One of the biggest reasons dental cleanings and exams are so important is because only professional dental tools can clean 100% of the hardened plaque (known as “tartar”) that clings to your teeth.
Even if you brush and floss every day, you will still experience some degree of tartar buildup that only a dental cleaning can remove—and if we don’t remove it, you’re at a higher risk for gum disease and tooth loss.
Teeth cleanings and dental exams play a crucial role in keeping your smile healthy. If you need to schedule a dental appointment in Winston-Salem, don’t be afraid to give us a call today!