Do you think that dental checkups are just a quick “cavity check and polish?” Think again! These visits include a lot more and are incredibly important for your oral health and quality of life. Not to mention that they save you time and money on dental work down the road. And since 2020 just got started, it’s the perfect time to schedule one of these visits with a dentist in Carlisle. Keep reading below to learn about the surprising ways regular checkups keep you healthier from head to toe!
How Do Checkups and Cleanings Benefit You?
Simply put, checkups and cleanings benefit you by preventing problems or at least catching them early on. This is when treatment is simpler and less expensive, which explains why people who get routine care need less major dental work than those who don’t. In fact, it’s been estimated that every $1 spent on preventive dentistry saves $50 on more involved procedures like root canals and crowns.
But that’s not the only benefit. Here are some additional ways checkups keep you healthy:
- They improve your gum health and lower your risk of major health problems – Gum disease is the #1 cause of tooth loss. Equally alarming, it’s also been found to increase your risk for Alzheimer’s, stroke, heart disease, certain cancers and even pregnancy complications.
- They help you maintain a more beautiful smile – Professional cleanings remove unsightly tartar buildup as well as surface stains. And cosmetic flaws like chips and cracks can be found and treated before they become more noticeable.
- They include oral cancer screenings – With early detection, the survival rate for oral cancer is 85%-90%. Checkups automatically include an easy, non-invasive oral cancer screening that takes just minutes.
What’s Included In a Checkup?
Dental checkups are designed to evaluate every aspect of your oral health. Here’s what each visit includes:
- An update of your medical history
- Annual X-rays to help a dentist find problems as early as possible, before they cause any pain
- An oral cancer screening
- A TMJ evaluation
- Annual gum exam
- Professional cleaning and polish
- Personalized oral hygiene tips
- A dental exam to make sure all existing dental work is functioning well and determine if there are any treatment needs
Considering that a checkup and cleaning only takes about an hour and can prevent so many problems, it’s well worth your time. And since the new year just got started, it’s a great way to have a happy, healthy smile all year!
About the Author
Dr. Thomas Neslund has been working as a family dentist in Carlisle for 30 years. He knows how vital checkups and cleanings are for his patients’ oral health and encourages people of all ages to come in for these visits regularly. If you’d like to know more about the benefits of routine dental care or have any questions, he can be contacted through his website.