Are dental checkups indeed required every six months? According to a dental survey, three-quarters of those who do not regularly visit the dentist would disagree. It is best to determine the interval between dental checkups for each patient. You should know the benefits of visiting your hygienist regularly.
Six months is the average recommendation for patients; however, according to their individual dental health and risk factors, some patients may receive recommendations more or less frequently. Regular visits may be recommended by your dentist, for instance, if you have a persistent oral health issue.
Why Should You Visit a Dental Hygienist?
Dental examinations are essential and shouldn’t be put off. Your dentist starts a teeth examination, looks for any illnesses, and determines if you need treatment or ongoing care at your hygiene appointment.
After all, a dentist who recognises the early warning signals diagnoses the majority of instances of oral cancer at the outset. This, however, implies that thousands of individuals who neglect to visit their dentist or persistently postpone their appointment remain untreated or have a delayed diagnosis.
Patients at low risk and with a healthy mouth need advice to get a checkup every six months or even once a year. On the other hand, more vulnerable people need suggestions to check out every few weeks.
Signs You Need Dental Checkup
Taking good care of your teeth contributes to better general health. Losing teeth is not a normal part of ageing, despite what many people think. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is crucial for preserving your teeth over time, and seeing a dental hygienist may help with this. You will know the benefits of visiting your hygienist regularly.
The following symptoms and indicators suggest you schedule an appointment with a certified dental hygienist.
Swollen and Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums are an indication of inflammation that requires treatment. Bacteria that irritate the gums can cause inflammation, resulting in bleeding, swelling, discomfort, and even heat. Dental hygienists will administer the proper care to encourage more robust gum tissue.
Bad breath (Halitosis)
We might feel less socially acceptable and embarrassed by bad breath. Garlic and coffee are two items that might temporarily create bad breath, which usually goes away. Persistent foul breath indicates a more serious dental or overall health problem. Seeing a dentist is essential to rule out oral issues and obtain the required treatments.
Tartar buildup and deposits on teeth
At-home oral hygiene cannot eliminate all the plaque and debris from our mouths. Debris and plaque eventually solidify to become calculus or tartar. A qualified dental practitioner may effectively and safely remove the deposits using professional teeth cleaning, which may involve scaling and root planing. Dental hygienists are qualified dental practitioners who are experts in removing tartar and calculus.
Discoloured/Stained Teeth
External tooth discolouration can start tobacco use and foods and beverages such as wine, coffee, berries, and chocolates. Dental hygienists are qualified to remove these external stains using suitable instruments and methods, such as polishing.
Following removing external stains, further intrinsic teeth discolouration may be eliminated using an in-office teeth-whitening technique employing hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. It is essential to get evaluated before deciding if teeth whitening is the best course of action because only some are good candidates for this procedure.
Purposes of Dental Checkup
There are various situations and conditions when you need dental emergency care, such as severe toothache, gum swelling, etc. Have a look at some common reasons for dental checkups:
Dental Cleaning
When you attend a dental hygiene session, our hygienists will do a thorough cleaning to remove stains and plaque, utilising scaling and polishing, as at-home cleaning can only do so much.
Routine Checkup and Examination
Regular oral examinations are essential. We examine your gums, teeth, and mouth to ensure everything is in good condition. It is necessary to attend routine checkups because mouth cancer affects the people of the UK annually. Naturally, early detection is crucial, just like anything else.
Dental Issue
Health problems can frequently have a direct effect on your dental health, which can have an impact on your gums, teeth, or mouth. Your dentist can suggest dental procedures and advise you on the best course of action if required.
Advise of the Doctor
Your dentist should demonstrate proper tooth care during a dental hygiene appointment. They will explain the ideal brushing methods, flossing strategies, and other ways to maintain plaque-free teeth.
Do You Need Frequent Visits to the Dental Hygienist? When?
You may have seen some situations when you must visit a frequent hygienist. Know the situations when you need frequent hygienists:
If Your Breath Is Poor
Breath odour is a common occurrence and is typically treatable with ease. We will probably need to see you more frequently to treat your bad breath if an underlying medical condition brings it on.
Event of Gum Disease
A primary reason to see your hygienist regularly is that they can diagnose gum disease, which affects 90% of individuals in the UK, and can provide you with treatment recommendations. Patients with gum disease often require three monthly visits to the hygienist and more regular monitoring and treatment.
If You Start Smoking
Smokers risk developing mouth ulcers, receding gums, foul breath, discoloured teeth, and diminished taste and smell perception. Since dentists are concerned about these issues, unless there are no issues to report, we will ask you to see more frequently if you smoke regularly. We can also offer support and guidance on stopping smoking.
If You are Conceiving
Due to the hormonal changes that might occur during pregnancy and the potential impact on oral health, monitoring your mouth health is more crucial than ever. Pregnant women frequently have oral health issues; in particular, many of them endure bleeding, redness, and swollen gums. If you have any dental problems, you should see your dentist more often while pregnant.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, your dentist must determine the frequency of your oral hygiene appointments. We recommend that you be seen more regularly if you are experiencing any of the problems above. Once the findings are satisfactory, we will let you know if we want to visit you every six or twelve months.
We will be pleased to guide you if you have any queries about issues with your oral health or would like more information about our dental hygiene appointments. You may visit www.dentalhygienist.london to book and get regular consultations.