Even though seeing your dentist in Reston takes some time out of your busy schedule, it’s well worth it. Your dental professional does a lot more than keep your teeth white—they also look after your overall health. Recent studies have linked your oral health to illnesses developed throughout your body such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s, making it more important than ever to keep on top of your oral hygiene. Keeping up with your oral health can give you the peace-of-mind you need to go about your day. Read on to learn 4 reasons to attend your semi-annual checkups and cleanings with your dentist.
Oral Cancer Screenings
You may not have noticed, but every time you visit your dentist for your exam and cleaning, they’ll also perform an oral cancer screening. This is a serious disease that, when spotted in its early stages, can easily be treated. When it’s left to progress, it can spread to other parts of the body. Your dental professional is trained to spot symptoms of this disease and increase your chances of survival. Because it’s so difficult to spot, it often goes undiagnosed. They will inspect your oral tissues for any abnormalities or lumps. This procedure is painless and can save your life, so why wouldn’t you have it done?
Prevent Common Oral Health Problems
There’s a reason that oral issues like cavities are so common, it’s because they’re easy to develop! Even when you brush and floss every day, there are hard-to-reach nooks and crannies in your mouth that go uncleaned. When plaque and food debris accumulate in these areas, it can cause them to become infested with harmful oral bacteria and leave your teeth susceptible to decay and infection.
Your dentist or hygienist uses professional tools to reach the hard-to-get-to places in your mouth and remove plaque and tartar before it causes damage. Since your cleaning and checkup is covered by your insurance, it’ll be more affordable and take up less time than having to get a filling or a root canal!
Keep Your Bad Oral Habits In Check
Habits such as tobacco use, excessive consumption of alcohol, biting nails, clenching and grinding your teeth, and eating sugary snacks, can have detrimental impacts on your oral health. They also put you at risk for a dental emergency. When you go for your regular visit with your dentist, they inspect your mouth for any damages. They may spot problems you haven’t noticed and inform you about how your habits are impacting your mouth. This allows you to make an effort to change your habits to prevent any more damage.
Find Problems Hidden Under The Surface
Your dentist may give you an X-ray during your visit so they can see problems that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Some common issues that are spotted with an X-ray include impacted wisdom teeth, bone decay, cysts, and tumors. These all have serious consequences when left untreated, so it’s important to find them as soon as possible.
Scheduling your semi-annual checkup and cleaning with your dentist can benefit your oral and overall health. Although you may need to carve out a small portion of time from your schedule, it’s worth it! Keep your smile healthy and happy by making your appointment a priority!
About the Author
Dr. Eugenia Prokopets is a fourth-generation female dentist in her family and has been passionate about her profession since she was young. Her goal is to provide each of her patients with the highest quality of dental care, which is why she completed advanced training in general anesthesia, emergency medicine, and oral surgery. Her patients don’t have to choose between experience and expertise, as a highly trained professional, they can get both when they choose to visit Dr. Prokopets! For questions or to schedule a checkup and cleaning, visit Premier Dental Care’s website or contact 703-860-8860.