It’s normal to think your mouth is probably healthy if you’re committed to thoroughly brushing and flossing twice daily. However, if you don’t also visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning, you could be putting your oral well-being at risk.
Your dental team has the experience and technology to find potential problems and address them before they even have a chance to progress into a real issue. But that’s not all they do! Keep reading to learn more about 4 things that happen at a checkup that you may not be aware of.
#1: Examine Every Tooth
You might assume that your dentist glances over your teeth to get a general idea of their condition, but the truth is that they take their time to assess each individual tooth. Whether they’re using a mirror, an intraoral camera, or both, they’re sure to inspect all surfaces of each individual pearly white thoroughly.
#2: Analyze Your Tongue
Your teeth and gums aren’t the only indicators of your dental condition; your tongue can say a lot about your current oral health, too! During standard checkups, your provider will probably look it over to make sure it’s not discolored, sensitive, or developing abnormal growths because these symptoms can point to more serious underlying problems like infections, diseases, tongue ties, or other concerns.
#3: Screen for Oral Cancer
Did you know that according to the Oral Cancer Foundation, an estimated 58,500 Americans will be diagnosed with some type of oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year? Unfortunately, in 5 years’ time, only slightly more than half of those individuals will likely still be alive.
Thankfully, this serious condition can often be treated effectively if it’s caught early enough. Your dentist looks for early indicators every time you have a checkup to prevent this life-threatening disease.
#4: Investigate Your Bite Alignment
Your dentist will also check to ensure that your teeth come together the way they should when you close your mouth. If they’re not in their proper places, or if you have a malocclusion (bite misalignment), you can develop several other issues, too. For instance, overcrowded teeth can be harder to brush and floss, so you’re more likely to develop cavities or gum disease.
Not only that, but bite misalignments frequently cause TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders because it creates extra tension in your jawbone. This can wear down your enamel prematurely, leaving your pearly whites prone to injuries.
As you can see, there are many advantages to scheduling a checkup with your dentist every 6 months!
About the Author
Dr. Tonie C. Lewis has 15 years of experience helping patients enhance their lives by improving their dental health. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi for her undergraduate degree and then graduated from the Howard University College of Dentistry. Now, she offers a wide array of services so that you and your family can receive the care you need conveniently under one roof. She takes the time to get to know your unique goals and concerns so that she can create fully individualized treatment plans to help you meet them. Plus, her practice is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and modern amenities to keep you comfortable while increasing the accuracy of your results. You can request an appointment on the website or call (972) 954-9728.