Ever wonder why the dentist wants you to come for regular check-ups and cleanings? At Miller Family Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee, we care about your oral health. Regular dental checkups help us keep track of everything inside your mouth, so we can catch problems early and keep your smile looking its best. Keep reading to learn more about dental checkups and cleanings and how they benefit you.
Why is Oral Health Important?
Your oral health is important to the health of your whole body. When you keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy, you are keeping bacteria from building up and creating infections inside your mouth. Untreated infections and oral diseases can negatively affect the rest of your body's health.
What are Regular Dental Checkups and Cleanings?
Routine check-ups and regular dental cleanings at the dentist's office help keep your oral health in good shape. During a dental checkup, the dentist looks for any signs of problems, such as cavities, gum disease, and cracked teeth. The dentist carefully examines the inside of your mouth and uses dental x-rays to see what is happening below the gumline.
During a professional cleaning, one of our dental professionals thoroughly cleans your teeth, removing plaque buildup, polishing with special toothpaste, and flossing between each tooth.
Most of the time, we recommend that you come to our dental office for routine checkups and teeth cleanings once every six months to keep your teeth healthy and spot problems before they become too big. Some people may need to come in more often. Everyone's teeth are different, and we personalize each patient's dental care to their specific needs.
Benefits of Regular Dental Checkups and Cleanings
Getting a routine dental checkup and regular cleaning benefits you in many ways, including:
- Prevent tooth decay and gum disease
- Identify dental problems in their early stages, when they are easier to treat
- Help you save your natural teeth by preventing tooth loss
- Detect oral cancer in the early stages, when the treatment success rate is much higher
- Save money in the long run because you won't have to pay for costly restorations
- Form a good relationship with your dentist, so you can get the best care every time you need it
What Happens During a Dental Checkup?
When you come to our office for a dental checkup, you can expect the following things to occur:
- Oral Examination: The dentist will examine your mouth for signs of any problems.
- X-rays: We may need to take x-rays of your teeth to get a complete picture of your jaw and teeth.
- Oral Cancer Screening: This is a quick and easy screening that we perform to check for any bumps or lesions that may indicate early stages of oral cancer.
- Dental Cleaning: We also professionally clean your teeth for a deep and thorough clean that helps keep your mouth healthier.
How to Prepare for a Dental Checkup and Cleaning
The first thing you need to do is make an appointment for your next dental checkup and professional teeth cleaning. You can call our office or use our online appointment form to request your appointment at Miller Family Dentistry. We will do our best to find a date and time that works well for you.
When you come in for your appointment, we may ask you some questions about your medical history. This helps us understand your overall health, giving us more insight into what might be happening inside your mouth.
If you have concerns about your teeth or gums, write them down before your appointment and ask the dentist when you come in for your regular checkups. Your concerns and questions are welcome, and we will do our best to answer your questions and help you understand what is giving you problems.
Is It Time for Your Next Dental Checkup?
The importance of regular dental checkups and routine dental visits is an essential parts of good oral health. At Miller Family Dentistry, we want our patients to have peace of mind addressing potential oral health problems through treatment options. Located in Nashville, TN, we compassionately provide top dental care, so you can feel good knowing your oral health is in good hands. Contact our office today to schedule a dental checkup and routine cleaning.