Do you struggle with making time to go to the dentist because your schedule never seems right? You’ve got food to make, kids to pick up, household cleaning to do, and much more, so why should you find time for the dentist? A dental checkup that can take less than one hour could save you a lot of time, money, and pain down the road. Keep reading to find out why a quick and easy checkup from your dependable dentist in Anthem should be a priority.
What Is A Dental Checkup?
A dental checkup comes in two parts: the initial examination and the cleaning. It is recommended that you visit your dentist at least twice a year. During the examination portion, your dentist will inspect your teeth for cavities, plaque, and tartar buildup that can only be removed by a professional. They also may take X-rays to further examine the inside of your teeth. The examination will additionally include a gum-health check to make sure you don’t have gum disease, and they will check your throat, tongue, head, and neck for any possible signs of disease or cancer.
During the second part of your visit, your teeth will be cleaned by a hygienist. This process will remove any plaque or tartar that has built up, your teeth will get polished so they look great, and your dentist will floss to make sure there isn’t any debris between the teeth.
Why Are Dental Checkups So Important?
Although getting your teeth cleaned and feeling good is a great part of dental checkups, the most important part of your visit is the preventive examination conducted by your dentist. This examination can save you time, money and pain in the following ways:
- Oral cancer detection: We know checkups take time out of your day, but oral cancer can become life threatening and expensive if it is undiagnosed. It is one of the many dental problems that doesn’t have obvious symptoms early on, but if it is recognized early enough by your well-trained dentist, it can be treated successfully.
- Plaque, tartar, and cavities: Even if you are an expert brusher with a killer oral health routine, there are hard to reach areas in your mouth where plaque can build up, which forms into hard tartar. Regular visits to the dentist will prevent tartar from forming and eroding your teeth (cavities). Cavities and restorative treatments take much more time and are more expensive than a routine dental visit.
- X-rays: Dental X-rays can pinpoint things like jaw decay, swellings, cavities, and much more that can’t be seen with the naked eye. This easy procedure can save you from serious dental issues going undiagnosed.
- Gum disease: Plaque and tartar buildup doesn’t just hurt your teeth, but your gums, too. This harmful buildup leads to gingivitis (puffy, bleeding, or uncomfortable gums) and can turn into more serious gum disease, costing you much more money and time to treat.
Now that you know why dental visits are so important, schedule your dental checkup in Anthem today. Whether you currently have oral health problems, or you just want to prevent them in the first place, checkups are a quick and easy way to make sure you’re in tip-top shape.
Meet the Dentist
Dr. Lori Anderson wants the best for you and your smile, which is why she prides herself in her ability to listen to the needs of each of her patients. She has been featured as one of Phoenix’s top dentists, and she is currently practicing at Anderson Dental. For any questions or comments, she can be contacted by phone at (480) 455-7411.
