The ongoing global pandemic has been stressful, and to many dental patients, it may seem easier to avoid visiting a dentist rather than schedule an appointment. Skipping these visits can be detrimental to your oral health.
These appointments are routine, occurring every six months. They are also part of a healthy oral health regimen that keeps your smile looking and feeling its best. The dentists at Foxhall Smiles in Washington, DC outline three major reasons why you should not skip your dentist appointment.
Crucial Dental Cleaning
During these regular appointments, your dentist clears plaque and tartar from your teeth from spots in your mouth that may have been missed during your oral hygiene routine. A film of plaque develops over your teeth throughout your day from bacteria in your mouth.
If left alone, plaque hardens into tartar and can cause tooth decay and other dental damage. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily removes this plaque. However, a thorough cleaning from a dental professional is necessary to ensure your mouth remains healthy.
Preventative Dental Care
By visiting your dentist regularly, you can avoid dental emergencies by receiving preventative dental care. Your dentist will examine your mouth during these appointments and look for signs of dental problems, including issues that could arise in the future.
Your dentist may also use X-ray imaging to monitor your teeth’s position, including wisdom teeth. They can ensure wisdom teeth are not impacted or causing damage to your other teeth and can intervene if necessary.
The dentist can provide you with a fluoride treatment during these visits too. This would be applied to each tooth to fortify tooth enamel and make it more resistant against plaque and other threats.
Early Dental Treatment
Some dental issues, like cavities, are accompanied by noticeable symptoms like tooth sensitivity. But sometimes, these symptoms do not occur, and the problems can only be spotted by a dental professional during an oral examination.
Your dentist can find a cavity and treat it with a filling before tooth decay progresses into worse damage that can require extensive restorative dental work to repair. Similarly, your dentist can find early stages of gum disease and treat your gums before irreversible harm such as tooth loss can occur.
Schedule a Dentist Appointment Today in Washington, DC
Foxhall Smiles offers general dentistry, both preventative and emergency care, to patients in Washington, DC. Our practice also specializes in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 202.315.2188.