When it’s time for your six-month cleaning and checkup, and your day is hectic and busy, you may consider canceling your appointment. It’s no big deal to skip your appointment if there’s nothing wrong with your teeth and they’re not hurting, right? Wrong! Your routine preventive visits are important for monitoring your oral health because many dental issues don’t cause any symptoms or pain until it’s too late. We recommend that most patients see their dentist in Lake Forest every six-months or twice per year, and here’s why.
The Importance of Consistent Preventive Care
There are a few very important things that happen when you visit your trusted team at Lake Forest Smiles. First, Dr. David Schmidt or Dr. Tracey Hughes will examine your teeth and mouth for dental issues such as oral cancer, tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
Our doctors can actually detect these issues much earlier than you can because there are often not many symptoms associated with them at first. Early detection gives you the opportunity to treat any dental issues with less invasive and costly procedures.
Next, our highly skilled hygienists will remove the plaque buildup from your teeth, which causes gums disease and tooth decay. We’ll also take the time to show you proper brushing techniques so you can make the most of your brushing and flossing routine at home.
Preventing Periodontal Disease
Also known as gum disease, periodontal disease affects more than half of American adults in some form. It’s essentially an infection of your soft tissues and bone that occurs when excessive plaque buildup allows harmful bacteria below your gum line.
If it’s left untreated, gum disease will eventually destroy the support system for your teeth and could lead to tooth loss. It is actually the leading cause of tooth loss for American adults. Patients who struggle with gum disease may require additional cleaning appointments throughout the year to keep their condition under control.
Due to emerging information, we also understand more about the connection between periodontal health and your overall health. The bacteria that causes gum disease has also been linked with the inflammation that contributes to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and vice versa. Taking good care of your oral health means that you’re also looking after your overall health and well being!
Contact Lake Forest Smiles
Your health is too important to ignore! If it’s time for your next cleaning and examination with your dentist in 60045, give us a call today to get it scheduled.