Oral health is all about prevention. While a significant amount of prevention can be done by regularly flossing, brushing your teeth, and using a fluoride mouthwash, booking dental cleaning appointments twice a year is still the most effective defense you can have against tooth and gum diseases. Gum disease is rather common for adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 46% of all adults over the age of 30 show some signs of gum disease. Here are three reasons why you need to be visiting the dentist regularly.

1. Fluoride Treatment

Dental services offer a fluoride treatment that coats your teeth with a paste that will help strengthen your teeth and protect against damage to the enamel. Fluoride is a mineral that makes teeth more resistant to acid attacks, which may occur after drinking sweet beverages or eating something that makes your saliva temporarily more acidic. With this treatment, patients are advised to not eat or drink for 30 minutes, so the fluoride has time to set in. By routinely applying this protective barrier to your teeth, you will be in better shape in the long run for preventing tooth decay.

2. X-Rays

It is rather common for dentists to take X-rays when you visit the office. X-rays are a dentist's best resource for identifying cavities in teeth and locating potential spots where cavities are beginning to form. X-rays use radiation to capture an image of your mouth, and therefore must be used safely and under the watchful eye of a professional hygenist. By skipping visits to the dentist, you may be confident in how your teeth look to the naked eye, but there may be deeper problems going on below the surface.

3. Expert Consultation

A visit to the dentist is more than a cleaning. Dental cleaning appointments also include assessments of your oral care routine and a comprehensive check-up for your gums and tongue. Dentists are highly trained in identifying oral cancer and other diseases of the mouth. Their consultation is invaluable and worth investing in twice a year. Most dental hygienists also end appointments by giving out a bag of free dental supplies as well!

For more information about our dental services, contact us today. Your teeth are in constant, daily need of preventive care. A large portion of this can be done at home and over the course of your lifetime, but we would love it if you trusted us to help identify the details you might miss.