When was the last time you made time to see your Olathe, KS, dentist for an exam? Routine checkups and cleanings help preserve oral health and safeguard your smile against serious complications. In today’s blog, we’re looking at the importance of six-month checkups and why you need to see us for thorough dental exams.
How Often Should You See a Dentist?
As we mentioned above, most patients benefit from seeing us twice a year. We recommend an initial visit for children once their first baby teeth erupt, with regular exams happening every six months starting at age three. However, if you have high risk factors for gum disease and other oral health issues, we may instead suggest one every three to four months. The amount of time between your visits depends on the health of your smile!
What Do We Look For?
With the checkup, we employ advanced technology to obtain a clear and detailed view of your oral health. By uncovering problems in the early stages, we often treat them before the patient experiences discomfort or before serious extensive treatment would be required. We typically look at the teeth for signs of decay, as well as wear and friction that would indicate teeth grinding. When we look at the gums, we want to find signs of inflammation or the early stages of gum disease, addressing the issue before your smile’s stability becomes threatened. We look at the jaw joints and oral structures to assess your risk of developing TMJ disorder.
Our Olathe team also looks for lesions and other indicators of oral cancer. Nearly 50,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year, but half will succumb within five years since the disease is rarely caught in the early stages. However, by having your checkup every six months you give us the opportunity to identify possible cancerous and precancerous areas in the earliest possible stages.
The Dental Cleaning
As part of your routine visit, we also clean your teeth. The procedure involves the use of an ultrasonic scaler or possibly a manual tool to remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth. Removing plaque, a bacterial byproduct, limits the risk of tooth decay, infection, gingivitis, and gum disease. The procedure also helps brighten your teeth and offers a solution to bad breath. If you have any questions, or if you’re ready to schedule a checkup and cleaning, then contact our team today.
Do You Need a Dental Exam?
We offer thorough exams and cleanings to help our patients maintain optimal oral health. To schedule a consultation and make time to see us for an exam, call E-Care Dentistry in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from De Soto, Paola, Lawrence, and all surrounding communities.