San Diego Orthodontist Breaks Down the Importance of Biannual Dental Visits

Do you see your dentist twice a year? It's important that you see your general dentist every six months, even if you brush your teeth twice a day, floss your teeth at least once a day, and rarely get cavities. Dental professionals strive to examine your teeth and provide ways to strengthen them so your smile can remain shiny and healthy. Having a healthy smile created by your general dentist allows our San Diego orthodontist to give you the straight and healthy teeth you've been looking for.

 

Keep reading to learn why twice-yearly dental appointments are necessary! 

 

Identify Developing Cavities

Cavities don't go away on their own! If they're left untreated, the infection will grow deeper, and your pain will worsen. Even worse, your tooth may decay to the point where tooth extraction makes more sense than a filling or root canal. 

 

To avoid this, your dentist strives to identify cavities early so that you can treat them without resorting to invasive methods. 

 

Prevent Gingivitis and Tooth Decay

Each time you go in for a dental appointment, you help strengthen and protect your teeth from issues you want to avoid. First, the dental hygienists will thoroughly brush and polish your teeth, then remove any plaque and tartar they find. They'll then floss your teeth, checking for signs of gingivitis. Afterward, fluoride is applied to protect your teeth, and dental sealants are added if necessary to make it harder for cavities to develop in hard-to-reach crevices of your teeth. 

 

Oral Cancer Screening

Lastly, we recommend you see your dentist twice a year because it's important that a dental professional screen you for oral cancer. They will examine your neck, jaw, throat, face, and tongue for redness, inflammation, tissue changes, and more that could indicate developing cancer. Oral cancer screening is essential, as the sooner you detect it, the easier it is to treat. 

 

Schedule an Appointment with Your Favorite Dental Professional Today

Twice-yearly dental appointments are necessary – regardless of if you feel as if your smile is healthy or not. This is because dental professionals also screen you for oral cancer, provide ways to further reduce the likelihood of gum disease and tooth decay, and can even provide you with more tips on how to take care of your smile better.

 

These reasons combined with visiting our San Diego orthodontist will give you the healthiest and happiest smile possible. Call Dr. Lee at one of our two convenient locations to schedule your orthodontic consultation today!