Some people feel that they have good oral hygiene since they do not feel any pain and there is no need to visit the dentist.
Regular dental check-ups are very important because some of the dental problems may exist without the knowledge of the patient.
Visiting the dental clinic regularly twice a year is not only to maintain good dental and oral health but it is also to maintain good overall health because oral health is one of the key indicators of overall health.
During check-up, the dentist will look for dental decay, lesions or defective fillings inside the mouth or any dental procedures in the mouth which were done previously. He or she will also check any abnormalities or swelling on the mouth.
He or she will also make sure to prepare a treatment plan in case you require any dental procedures which need to be done.
In the early stages, dental decay often spreads without pain or symptoms, and if detected early, the treatment is simple. As for the advanced stages, it may be accompanied by severe pain, and the treatment is more complicated. The patient may have to undergo root canal treatment and in some cases they might need to remove their teeth.
Assessing old fillings is also important. They can be leaking, not causing any pain in the early stages and they will need to be replaced.
Early detection of gum diseases during the regular check-ups can be treated easily. If it is not treated, it can progress to advanced stages which may lead to damage of the tissues and surrounding bone of the teeth. The teeth may become loose ending in tooth loss.
There are many consequences of tooth loss. Patients may develop chewing problems leading to digestive problems. Speech may be affected specifically when the front teeth are missing. One may also feel low confidence because of the appearance and jaw pain. Furthermore, neighbouring teeth start to drift to close the space of the missing one.
In addition to the above, some studies indicate that gum diseases or the bacteria that cause gum infections are linked to several diseases that may affect the body such as heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.
During the regular dental check-ups, the doctor will also assess any lesions that appear in the oral cavity. Some lesions can be cancerous. The earlier they are detected the better prognosis. That is why it is important to book an appointment as soon as possible if you see any lesion in the mouth, for it to be ruled out and in some cases they might require further investigations.
In conclusion, for a beautiful smile and a good healthy life, we must take care of our teeth and gums by brushing them twice a day, flossing to remove food particles between the teeth, cleaning the tongue to eliminate bad breath and going for regular dental check-ups even if we do not feel pain.
The author is a senior dental surgeon (endodontist).
