You brush your teeth at least twice every day, and you’re sure to floss between your teeth. Maybe you even use a fluoride mouthwash! However, these daily hygiene habits aren’t enough on their own to keep your smile clean and healthy. This October for National Dental Hygiene Month, make sure that you’re up to date with your semiannual dental appointment. The checkup and cleaning play a crucial role in maintaining both your oral and your overall health. Below you’ll find four critical things that you and your dentist in Chaska accomplish during this routine visit.
Dental Checkup
Cavities and infections can happen to anyone. In fact, it is estimated that 78 percent of children experience at least one cavity by the time they turn 17 years old. But these problems can be challenging to identify on your own. By the time it becomes noticeable to you, the cavity will likely have already caused significant damage to the tooth. When your dentist inspects your individual teeth and the X-rays taken at your routine checkup, they can catch problems and treat them as soon as possible, saving you the pain and hassle of a bigger fix down the road.
Periodontal Health Exam
You can’t talk about a healthy set of teeth without mentioning the importance of healthy gums. They stabilize the teeth and can provide a solid foundation for a strong smile. Plus, research shows a strong connection between gum disease (also called periodontal disease) and heart disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s. At your checkup appointment, your dentist takes time to evaluate your gum health and can administer treatment if necessary.
Oral Cancer Screening
Out of the many kinds of cancer, oral cancer is the sixth most common. In fact, about 53,000 American patients are anticipated to be newly diagnosed with this disease this year. However, the alarming truth is that only about half of them will survive five years after diagnosis. Why? Oral cancer is often discovered too late in development. That’s why your dentist performs a quick oral cancer screening at your routine checkup every six months. This small, fast step enables them to identify potentially cancerous cells, giving you an earlier diagnosis and better chances of survival.
Dental Cleaning
Of course, your hygiene appointment wouldn’t be complete without a dental cleaning in Chaska. Your hygienist removes hardened plaque called tartar, which houses harmful bacteria. Once calcified, this tartar can’t be brushed or flossed away with your at-home dental care. It requires professional tools and hygiene training. By getting this routine procedure every six months, you make sure that plaque and bacteria don’t have a chance to build up and cause problems like decay or gum disease.
If it has been a while since you last saw the dentist for a checkup and cleaning, take the time now to complete this hygiene appointment. That way, you can keep smiling through the holidays, confident that your teeth and gums are healthy and strong!
About the Practice
At Chaska Dental Center, families in the area have two experienced dentists to turn to for their dental needs. Dr. Aaron Swingdorf has special interests in root canals, oral surgery, implants, and orthodontics. To schedule an appointment at Chaska Dental Center, you can call (952) 448-4151 or click here.
