Have you ever wondered if you really need an examination and cleaning every six months? The answer isn’t as simple as you may think. The frequency of exams and cleanings really depends on the individual and the health of their teeth and gums. A cleaning every six months, however, is commonly the minimum recommendation. It’s important to understand that it’s not just a cleaning!
You may remember your dental team offering to pre-schedule a “recall” appointment for you the last time you were seen for a cleaning. This is poor terminology. Not to be offensive, but we are not cars! In all actuality many of us probably treat our cars better than our mouths. Are you more apt to schedule routine preventive vehicle maintenance than schedule a “re-care” appointment for yourself?
Routine examinations and x-rays are necessary to identify potential dental and medical problems such as gum disease, bone loss, strokes, heart disease, infection and many other issues. In office salivary DNA and genetic susceptibility testing allows your dentist to identify problems that you won’t find at home with a toothbrush and a bathroom mirror!
Re-care visits are important because they allow us to identify and address the early signs of periodontal (gum) disease. Left untreated, gum disease can ultimately lead to the loss of teeth and other general health issues. You may say to yourself, “Well, I brush twice daily and I floss…this doesn’t apply to me.” Well, sure it does! Infectious bacteria love to reside in places your toothbrush and floss can’t reach, like below the gum line. The purpose of a professional cleaning is to remove the bacteria from these hard to reach places.
It is recommended that individuals with a history of gum disease have their teeth cleaned every three months. This recommendation also applies to pregnant women and those at risk for cardiovascular disease; as gum disease seems to be a significant precursor of preterm labor and cardiovascular events.
Committing to routine re-care allows for the early detection of many costly dental problems. If cavities go undetected for extended periods of time the treatment options may be limited to root canals, crowns and possibly the removal of teeth. This is also why it is important to update your x-rays at every re-care visit. At Central Dental, you can expect your doctor and hygienist will only recommend necessary radiographs. A necessary radiograph is one that is used to diagnose the extent of a dental problem that we already know exists, such as a broken tooth, a cavity, or an abscess. We also must use radiographs as part of an initial or periodic oral examination. In these examinations, radiographs are used to determine whether there are problems in a beginning stage that cannot be seen merely by looking at the tooth or area.
Only a fraction of your oral condition can be seen during an oral exam without radiographs. Radiographs allow your doctor to view in-between your teeth, check the margins (edges) of your fillings and crowns, and determine the density of the bone that supports your teeth. This information allows your dentist to make a full diagnosis resulting in the identifications of problems before they become more complex and costly.
Is it time for you to schedule an appointment? Contact Central Dental today to get started, or to continue with your dental care!
