Regular dental checkups are essential for complete dental care.

Some people may wonder why you need to see the dentist at least twice a year, but it’s important to see the team at Compass Dental Group every six months to stay on top of your dental care because regular dental checkups can catch a dental problem in its infancy, which can then be addressed before it becomes a real headache for you.

Early detection is key.

Just like your doctor recommends regular visits as a way to detect issues with your body early on, your dentist wants to do the same thing. Early detection of a dental problem can mean less pain and dental trauma for the patient, and less invasive treatment than when a problem isn’t caught early enough.

Through biannual dental checkups, your dentist can also prevent future dental problems by preventing problems from happening in the first place. By seeing your dentist regularly, they can see if there are any weak spots in your enamel where a cavity could form, and they can detect any other abnormalities when dental X-rays are used to capture what your teeth look like on the inside.

While most people only need to see their dentist twice a year, if you have certain other health risks, are immunocompromised, a smoker, a pregnant woman, or someone who is more susceptible to gum disease, you may need to see your dentist more frequently.

Regular dental checkups make it easier to come up with a comprehensive dental plan.

By seeing your dentist twice a year, you can work together on a comprehensive dental care plan to help keep your teeth strong and healthy. The team at Compass Dental Group can create an individualized and custom plan just for you to help achieve your goals for your oral health, which could include things like teeth whitening and cosmetic dentistry, or restorative dentistry if you need a crown or bridge.

During your regular dental checkups, your dentist can also go over any questions you have about your dental health, including showing you the proper way to brush your teeth and floss at home. Your dentist can give you recommendations on which toothbrushes to try to make brushing your teeth easier, and even which toothpaste to use, especially if you are looking for a whitening formula or one that caters to sensitive teeth.

Good dental health can help with your overall health.

Having good dental health can actually help with your overall health. The mouth is the gateway to the digestive and respiratory systems, so by having a good oral health routine, you can keep extra bacteria out of those systems. Brushing your teeth and flossing daily helps to weed out the bad bacteria in your mouth. If that bacteria is left in your mouth, it can cause problems later on in other places in your body, like endocarditis, pneumonia, and even cardiovascular disease. 

Good oral health can also be associated with good mental health. Studies have found that people who visit the dentist regularly report having better mental health than those who don’t. Other studies have shown that those with poor mental health often have dental issues. Sometimes, those who have anxiety or depression are more likely to skip a visit to the dentist, which can cause your overall comprehensive dental care plan to break down and be less effective.

But some health conditions can compromise your dental health.

There are some conditions that can cause your dental health to be compromised. Those with conditions that weaken their immune system, like cancer or diabetes, tend to be more at risk for gum disease, which can cause the gums to be inflamed and painful, and can even lead to bleeding. Those who have osteoporosis are more susceptible to brittle bones, which can affect your teeth, leading to tooth loss or problems with your jaw. There are also other conditions and medications that can cause dry mouth, which means you produce less saliva, which is needed to help regulate the pH in your mouth and wash away any bad bacteria that might be in your mouth.

Compass Dental Group is always at your service!

The team at Compass Dental Group is always ready to see you! If you haven’t been to our office in a while, be sure to make an appointment for a dental evaluation and comprehensive dental plan to get your dental health back on track.