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Do you remember when your last dental appointment took place? If it was more than six months ago, you might be putting your oral health at risk. There are many reasons why it is important to see your dentist regularly, with many professionals recommending a visit twice a year. Here are just a few of the benefits of attending regular family dentist appointments.

10 Reasons Why It’s Important to See Your Dentist

1. Prevent Future Issues

Almost all oral health issues start off as small problems that can easily go unnoticed. Early gum disease and small cavities are not obvious and rarely hurt. This does not mean that they do not need treatment. Getting regular dental checkups allows your family dentist to use their expertise to help you minimize your risk of future problems. The sooner any oral health issues are identified, the easier they are to treat and eliminate.

2. Save Your Teeth

You only get one set of adult teeth to last your entire life, so it makes sense to do everything you can to preserve them. Seeing your dentist regularly is key to making this happen. The longer you go between dental checkups, the more likely it is that you will develop gum disease, cavities, or other oral health issues. Over time, these problems will get worse. Eventually, they may cost you your teeth. Getting quality preventive care from your dentist is the best way to ensure that this does not happen.

3. Education on Good Dental Hygiene

We all know that we should brush our teeth twice a day and floss, but there is much more to optimal dental hygiene than that. Should you brush before or after you eat breakfast? Should you floss before or after you brush? What kind of toothpaste is best for your needs?

Your family dentist in Mississauga can answer all of these questions and more. They can also offer guidance on your specific brushing technique, pointing out areas that you miss the most based on the plaque build-up on your teeth.

4. Help with Other Oral Health Issues

Did you know that problems like teeth grinding and sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated by dentists? These issues are oral health problems, just like cavities and gum disease. Your dentist can help you figure out why you are experiencing these problems and offer you some treatment options to address them. If they cannot solve the problem on their own, they will refer you to a specialist who can provide you with further assistance.

5. Treat Bad Breath

Bad breath is a common problem that can be devastating to your social life and self-esteem. While the solution is sometimes as simple as avoiding certain foods or brushing a little more frequently, you could also struggle with these issues due to untreated oral health problems.

Tonsil stones or advanced dental decay and gum disease can cause you to develop a foul odour in your mouth that will not respond to conventional breath freshening measures. Your dentist can help you resolve the underlying issues behind your bad breath and put this problem to rest for good.

6. Give You Peace of Mind

Severe oral health problems can be devastating to your health, your comfort, and even your wallet. Visiting your dentist regularly is the best way to protect yourself from these impacts. Your family dentist is trained to identify oral health problems before they progress into major issues like periodontitis or dental abscesses. You will always know exactly what is going on in your mouth and have the opportunity to address any problems before they develop into something worse.

7. Help Prevent Cavities

Cavities do not appear overnight. They start off small and slowly grow larger. In their earliest stages, they are actually reversible. Your dentist will check for new and worsening cavities during each of your dental checkups. They will then give you specific advice based on what they find. They may recommend a fluoride treatment to address some early demineralization or suggest treating a small cavity before it gets the chance to spread further.

8. Help Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease is an extremely common oral health problem that many people do not take seriously. While early gum disease, known as gingivitis, is reversible, it can quickly progress to periodontitis. At this stage, the bacteria in your gums may begin attacking your jawbone. This causes your bone to degrade and may lead to loose teeth and collapsed facial structures.

To prevent these problems, your dentist will monitor the state of your gums over your checkups. They may recommend measures like more frequent dental cleanings or a subgingival deep cleaning, which reaches below the gum line, to keep any gum disease in check.

9. Help Treat Sensitivity

Sensitive teeth affect countless people, leaving them unable to enjoy hot, cold, or sweet items without pain. Your dentist can address any tooth decay, gum recession, or structural damage that might be causing your sensitivity problems. They can also offer you fluoride treatments that will strengthen your tooth enamel and help keep your teeth safe from unpleasant shocks.

10. Screen for Oral Cancer

Sadly, oral cancer can strike anyone at any age. It is more common among people who smoke or drink excessively, as well as among people who have had the disease before.

If oral cancer is not treated, it can be fatal. Catching it early gives you a much better chance of making a full recovery. Your dentist will perform an oral cancer screening as part of your regular checkups, examining your lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, and even your neck and throat for signs of disease. If they spot anything, they will refer you to another healthcare professional for prompt treatment.

Book an Appointment with the Top Dentist in Mississauga

Seeing your dentist frequently is the best thing you can do for your oral health. Protect your teeth and gums by booking an appointment at Trillium Smile Dentistry, the best family dentist in Mississauga. Contact us today online or by phone to make arrangements for your next dental checkup with our expert team.