Why should you visit the dentist for your checkup and clean?

There is an old dental joke:
Patient … ‘Which teeth do I have to clean doc?’
Dentist … ‘Only the ones you want to keep!’

Funny at first, but quite ‘real’ when you look at it closer. Most things will deteriorate without maintenance and teeth are no exception. Couple that with the age-old saying, “prevention is better than cure”, which has shown to stand the test of time. As a strategy of being and staying healthy there is no more proven, wiser method.

So, at Define Dental, when we talk about having a dental or tooth checkup and clean, we prefer the term Preventive Maintenance. This way we focus on maintaining health and beauty while trying to avoid the need for complex treatment and therapy.

What if you’re not having any dental discomfort or pain?

It’s a good question. A good way of answering it, is to compare it to heart disease. Very often, the first symptom of heart disease is a heart attack and then it’s often too late!

Another good comparison is with your car. Cars (and teeth) show wear and tear with use. Regular servicing and maintenance are required to prevent your car from breaking down, to make it last longer, be more reliable and enjoyable. Teeth are the same. This is where prevention comes in. It’s much wiser and safer to prevent the problems from occurring rather than to wait until they arrive and then trying to treat them.

What dental problems are we trying to prevent?

A toothache and one of the most painful experiences is the short answer to that question.
The most common cause of a toothache is tooth decay and this is preventable. The earlier it is detected, the easier and more economical the treatment. Funnily enough, the smaller fillings also last longer than larger, complex and more expensive treatment which is needed when the decay is detected much later.

Gum (Periodontal) disease is also known as the ‘slow, silent’ oral disease. This is because the symptoms, like bleeding from the gums, are often very mild and not painful. So, they’re easy to overlook. However, with time, they get worse and can very readily lead to an abscess which can be one of the most painful things ever!

Although tooth decay and gum disease are the most common two, in the oral cavity there are many other conditions which can begin as something small and lead to a major life changing issue – like oral cancer. When detected early, they are much easier to treat and that treatment is much more successful.

How often should you visit the dentist for your Preventive Maintenance visit, aka dental checkup and clean?

Another great question! In general, one that can only accurately be answered by the last dentist you saw.
There are many individual factors that influence oral diseases such as tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancers etc. These can range from dietary factors, oral hygiene habits and lifestyle, through to genetics and even the type of ‘germs’ present in the mouth.

As you can see, everyone is different and the timeframe between dental visits is best customised to suit you. While we desire to prevent any oral diseases, there’s also no need to come in more than is required.

The aim is to have your Preventive Maintenance visits as far apart yet still preventing any disease from developing in your mouth. At Define Dental we generally recommend a visit every six months and then personalise the frequency from there. Some people (at higher risk) need to come in more frequently and indeed some people (at lower risk) may come in less frequently.

A final word on how often you need to visit the dentist

This is best determined in partnership with a dental team. At Define Dental, we strive to build relationships that are deep and long-lasting. By getting to know you well, we’re then positioned to advise and guide you as to what is best for your unique situation.

Have you been in for a dental checkup and clean lately? A six-month gap is a good rule of thumb to say you’re probably due! The best place to start is by booking an appointment at Define Dental. Located in Benowa on the Gold Coast, Define Dental’s team are committed to helping you achieve your best oral health. Learn more about our approach to supporting you on your dental health journey when you book an appointment today on 5597 2100.