A dental checkup is so much more than just getting your teeth cleaned, when you visit your dentist regularly you will detect cavities while they are still in the initial stages, detect the onset of gum diseases, check your fillings, treat dry mouth or bad breath, upgrade your oral hygiene, and protect your overall health. During your dental visits, the dentist will remove any plaque or tartar build-up.

It’s necessary that you meet with your dentist once every six months. However, there are some clinics that schedule annual appointments, as well. If you have any oral condition that needs consistent treatment, then the dentist will suggest that you set up frequent appointments. Poor oral hygiene has been connected to several other overall health problems like diabetes, oral cancers, and at times even heart disease. Children should go at least once a year because their teeth are more prone to decay, while adults can visit the doctor once every two years, that is if they don’t face any major problems and are committed to proper oral hygiene.

When you go for a regular visit to the dental office, you may feel that your enamel is getting damaged during the plaque removal process. The scraping sound and buzzing sensation may cause you some discomfort, especially if you have sensitive teeth. However, this doesn’t mean that your enamel has been scraped off; it’s normal for your teeth to be sensitive to hot and cold foods. When your tongue touches the cleaned teeth, it may feel like the enamel is worn out, but it just means that the plaque is gone.

If you’ve noticed that your teeth have been looking a little longer than usual, and your gums are pulling back from your teeth, then you’re experiencing receding gums. Gum recession is a condition that can’t be reversed, which means the gum won’t grow back, but you can control the problem from getting worse. You can talk to your dentist and figure out the main cause of the problem and start altering your daily oral hygiene habits. Healthy lifestyle choices that don’t include smoking or chewing tobacco will prevent gums from receding.

Gingivitis results in the inflammation of gums, and it usually occurs due to the excessive buildup of plaque and bacteria that accumulates on the teeth. Some of the major symptoms of Gingivitis include puffy red gums that bleed when you brush your teeth. Patients usually don’t realize they have Gingivitis, if it’s mild, nevertheless it has to be treated as soon as possible. The other symptoms for Gingivitis include:

• Bright purple or red gums
• Tender gums that are painful to touch
• Bleeding when flossing or brushing
• Bad breath
• Gum swelling
• Soft gums