Very few people enjoy going to the dentist. The fact is, regular maintenance visits can be very beneficial for not only oral hygiene but overall health. Those who might not fully understand the importance of regular dental visits might have some questions about the whole process.
Below is a look at five at the most frequently asked questions involving visits to the dentist. It helps a person just how often should you see a dentist?
Why are regular maintenance visits essential?
Regular visits with a dentist help in a variety of ways. Perhaps the most important reason why a person should have regular dental appointments is to help identify any possible signs of issues starting to form. Tooth decay, gum disease, and even oral cancer can all be diagnosed and treated a lot more easily if spotted early.
Going for a maintenance visit once every six months seems to be the norm in most cases. They can give a full assessment of the mouth area during this time, as well as a professional cleaning that deals with build a plaque.
At what age do children need to start going to the dentist?
A child’s mouth goes through a lot of changes in a short amount of time, so it can be somewhat difficult to decide when exactly they need to start going to the dentist. In most cases, going before the age of two is recommended.
The sooner a child begins going to the dentist, the more comfortable they will be around them. This can help conquer any fears they might have down the road.
How important are X-rays?
A dentist might recommend getting an x-ray when visiting. It might seem like a big deal, but sometimes regular x-rays are needed in order to really see the health of a person’s mouth.
The naked eye can only see so much, and this is where the dentist will rely on using x-rays to see the rest. This can help to not only identify diseases but also see if teeth are about to come in.
Do dentists look at other parts of the mouth area?
Most dentists are going to focus on the mouth, gums and tongue area for most of the check-up. However, they will also take a look at the neck, jaw and lymph nodes area. This is really just to see if there are major issues starting to pop up.
This might not seem like much, but sometimes swelling or lumps that pop up are indicators of bigger health issues. That extra check is definitely going to be beneficial for any patient.
Are there ways to deal with anxiety related to visiting the dentist?
The first thing to know is that having the fear of going to a dentist is something millions of people around the world deal with. It is one of the major reasons why people do not make regularly scheduled appointments in the first place. It can be a very sensitive thing to deal with, but most people realize the benefits can be substantial if they can go.
The first thing is to ask for suggestions or read reviews online on the different dentists in the area. Some are simply better to deal with than others, particularly for people who need someone very understanding and gentle.
After the appointment is made, arrive early and don’t be afraid to ask questions. A dentist should be trying to do whatever possible to make their patient comfortable.
No one likes needles, drilling or anything associated with that. It’s important to remember that medication and technology have come a long way towards oral health. As long as the right dentist is picked, a regular visit should go relatively smoothly.
If you and your family are looking for a comfortable and gentle treatment, along with the highest quality of dental care, we invite you to visit Rockingham Dental Centre. Our practice is family-owned and has been running for over 55 years. Our focus is based on prevention and maintenance and we offer a variety of options for our patients, particularly those who have some anxiety concerns. If you are anxious, we will make sure to discuss with you all our options and keep your mouth healthy!
