As your Houston dentist, we all know that it is crucial to keep up with preventative dental care to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. From the time you get your baby teeth and on it is important to consistently visit your dentist for cleanings and checkups. But many patients always ask if it is really necessary to visit the dentist every six months. You may be able to get by with a yearly visit to your dentist if you have exceptionally healthy teeth and gums, but in most dental cases patients should have a cleaning and checkup twice a year for optimal dental health.

How to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy with Prevention

Why fix a problem later on when you could actually prevent it from happening today? This is especially true when it comes to your dental health. Gum disease and tooth decay never get better without care. When you ignore them, they can get worse and require more time-consuming, expensive care that may become even uncomfortable to treat.

You shouldn’t wait for a problem to visit your dentist on a regular basis. Our Houston dentist office can remove any bacteria and plaque that builds up and causes problems for your teeth. We can also catch problems early on when you come in for regular check-ups, such as gum disease and tooth decay. Both issues can actually be fixed at home with proper care if they are caught early on, or we can take the necessary steps to fix the problems at our office right away.

If you are someone who is more at risk for gum disease or tooth decay, you will benefit by visiting your dentist more frequently. Risk factors for both issues include: poor dental hygiene, poor nutrition, tobacco use, and any medications that cause dry mouth.

What You Should Expect From Your Checkup

When you see us for your first cleaning and checkup we will start your appointment by asking you questions regarding your oral health. We will want to know if you have noticed any problems lately, such as discomfort or sensitivity to your teeth and/or gums. Be detailed with your oral health as this helps us to help you!

The hygiene portion of your first visit with us may last up to 45 minutes. The time may depend on how well you take care of your teeth on your own. The dental hygienist will start by removing plaque and tartar buildup from the surface of the teeth. They will also check the pockets between your teeth to find any evidence of possible infection. They will use various instruments, such as pastes, polishes and hand tools to smooth the surface of your teeth. You’ll leave our office with that wonderful, clean feeling that we all love!

Your dentist will then exam your teeth and gums after the cleaning is over for potential issues. If any x-rays were taken, they will also be checked. If you have any worn dental work, cavities, gum disease or suspicious lumps in your mouth we will exam them that day. If you need additional work, we will put together a restorative care plan as quickly as possible.

Don’t Stop Care at Home or the Office

Always stay on top of your dental needs both at home or in our Houston dentist office. We will let you know the next time you should come in for a checkup and cleaning. If you stick to what we recommend, you will have a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums to look forward to! Please contact our office today to make an appointment.