{"id":186,"date":"2019-07-18T19:31:12","date_gmt":"2019-07-18T19:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/?p=186"},"modified":"2019-08-08T19:31:27","modified_gmt":"2019-08-08T19:31:27","slug":"reasons-schedule-checkup-dentist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/18\/reasons-schedule-checkup-dentist\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Reasons to Schedule a Checkup with Your Dentist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"woman<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A lot of us try to be healthy in as many ways as possible.\nWe schedule regular appointments with our primary care doctors, our eye\ndoctors, our OB\/GYNs. But not everyone sees their dentist twice a year like\nthey should. It can bring so many benefits and prevent a whole bunch of health\nproblems from developing. Here are 6 reasons why you should book a regular appointment<\/a>\nwith your dentist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. Treat Plaque, Tartar, and Cavities <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even when you brush and floss every day, there\u2019s a chance\nyou missed a spot or two. When you don\u2019t brush an area of your mouth, plaque\ncan build up and harden into a substance called tartar, which is almost\nimpossible to get rid of without professional help. Tartar eats away at your\nenamel and causes decay. A dental hygienist can use special instruments to\nclean tartar away and prevent you from getting cavities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Prevent Gum Disease <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cavities aren\u2019t the only danger of built-up plaque. It can\nalso result in gum disease, a bacterial infection that irritates the gums and\nattacks the supporting structures of a tooth. When left untreated, gum disease can\nmake the teeth loose and even cause them to fall out. By getting tartar\nregularly removed at your dentist\u2019s office, you can keep this whole mess from\nhappening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Screen for Oral Cancer <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oral cancer is a serious disease that can be fatal if not\ncaught early enough. Your dentist is specially trained to recognize the signs\nof oral cancer. By visiting your dentist every six months, your chance of\ncatching and treating the disease early, and curing it, is significantly\nhigher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Examine Your Head, Neck, and Lymph Nodes <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to checking your mouth and throat for early\nsigns of oral cancer, your dentist can examine your neck, head, and lymph nodes\njust below your jawline for any abnormalities. If any swelling or lumps are\nfound, your dentist will refer you to the appropriate medical professional to\ntreat the problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Find Hidden Problems by Using X-Rays<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

X-rays are a modern miracle that allow dentists to diagnose\nproblems that are invisible to the naked eye. They can use them to figure out\nthe best course of action for treating a decayed tooth. Any instances of\nswelling, tumors, or cysts can also be detected. In order to treat them early,\nmake sure you see your dentist twice a year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Keep Your Bad Habits in Check <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your dentist can tell when your teeth have been damaged due\nto bad habits such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n