We have all heard that we
need to visit the dentist for a checkup every 6 months or less. Is that really
necessary? Why is it so important to drop by the dentist so often? March is a
GCC oral health awareness month so we thought we let you know why!

Well a regular dental
visit is essential to maintain the healthiest teeth and gums. Even with the
most diligent oral hygiene practices, the build up of bacteria, plaque and
tartar takes place. This is simply because these buildups happen in areas of
the mouth that can’t be easily reached with home oral hygiene appliances like
tooth brushes and dental flosses. Furthermore, due to this very issue, new
cavities and other infections can slowly get bigger without us even noticing
them, until the inevitable dental pain comes along. So it is very important to
let the professionals take a look once in a while!

What happens at a check up dental visit?

• Examination of oral structures: The dentist will initially
  evaluate your gums, teeth, tongue and surrounding structures to assess their
  health.
• Radiograph: Depending on a case by case basis, radiographs might
  be taken of your teeth to assess their internal structures, to check for any
  infections or pathologies, we can check for cavities that are not seen by naked
  eye and also access your bone level and your bone quality .
• A cleaning: The best part of the check up exam! With months of
  staining and plaque formation, the dentist or hygienists will clean all these
  buildups from the deepest most unreachable depths, and give you a fresh slate
  to start with.
  
  Dentists also have a very unique role in your general health. Not only
  do dentists and oral hygienists looking out for your oral health, they have a
  particularly good vantage points to look out for various conditions that may
  affect your overall health. This is simply true as the oral cavity acts as a
  window to your general health. Many systemic diseases have their first
  manifestations in the mouth, or are first detected at the your dentist’s
  office.

These can include
complications such as:

• Diabetes
• Oral cancers
• Anemias
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Leukemia
• Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections
• Sinus complications
• Gastrointestinal problems

After this checkup,
you’ll get any recommendations or follow up steps needed to keep or achieve the
healthiest smile. We like to break them down into short term and long term
goals. The end goal is to build up a habit that lets you keep the healthiest possible
teeth and gums well into your later stages of life!

So remember that other than feeling minty fresh after the
checkup, you are also taking responsibility for your long term oral and general
health!