Find out why visiting your dentist twice a year could protect your smile.
When was the last time you visited the dentist? If it’s been more than six months then you could be dealing with dental issues that you don’t even realize you’re dealing with. By turning to our Washington, DC dentist Dr. Najib Bouchebel at Always Smiles DC for general dentistry cleanings and checkups twice a year, we can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums for the long run.
Why are six-month dental checkups so important?
Not all dental issues are obvious. Many people don’t even know that they have decay or gum disease because there were absolutely no symptoms to tip them off to the fact that something had gone awry. If you want to maintain healthy teeth and gums then you will need to visit our Washington, DC, general dentists every six months (this goes for children and adults!).
Of course, these visits do not mean that you no longer have to do your part to keep your mouth clean. You will still need to brush at least twice a day and floss every day. You will also want to eat a healthy, balanced diet and avoid sugar and processed foods, which can wreak havoc on your oral health.
What should I expect from my routine dental visits?
Checking for issues such as gum disease and tooth decay is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what we do during your dental exam. While this is a part of your checkup, we will also evaluate the rest of your mouth to check for issues such as diabetes, oral cancer, dry mouth, or even vitamin deficiencies. We will also check to make sure that your jaws are healthy and that they function and move properly (many people suffer from TMJ disorders, which cause jaw pain and discomfort).
We will also thoroughly clean your teeth, paying close attention to any plaque or tartar buildup that you might have. While brushing and flossing regularly will reduce this buildup significantly, once plaque has turned to tartar the only way to remove it is with our special dental instruments. Your at-home toothbrush won’t be able to remove tartar; only we have the tools for that! So, if you decide not to visit our Washington, DC, dental team for your general dentistry checkups, tartar buildup can eventually lead to gum disease and decay.
Also, once a year, x-rays will be taken to check for potential health issues that we may not be able to catch with the naked eye such as decay between teeth. We can also check to see if wisdom teeth are developing and if they will need to be removed.
If it’s time to schedule a general visit with our dentistry team here in Washington, DC, then call Always Smile DC at (202) 728-0896 to schedule appointments for you, or the whole family.