Long Term Benefits Of Routine Dental Visits

Maintaining oral health is a vital part of our overall health and well-being. Regular maintenance of your teeth will give you a smile which can give you a boost in self-confidence. 

We have many reasons not to keep up with our routine dental care. Whether it is our work and family schedule, dental fear, or lack of dental insurance. Dr. Perrone recommends visiting the dentist every six months. This helps prevent dental issues, early detection of complications, and routine treatment to maintain proper oral health.

Unfortunately, many people skip routine dental care until they have a toothache or a broken dental restoration. This could result in far worse issues like tooth loss. Additionally, the cost of care will likely increase when your dental problems become more advanced. 

Below are some of the long-term benefits of routine dental visits:

Prevention of Dental Complications

Preventive dental care ensures you enjoy good oral health for a lifetime of smiles. Preventing dental complications is a significant long-term benefit of visiting your dentist. Many neglected dental issues can become very painful and affect other parts of your health. Preventing these issues from becoming advanced can save you from unnecessary pain.

Examples of preventive dental treatment your dentist could recommend during your routine dental visits can include:

• Professional teeth cleaning. Your dental hygienist will clean your teeth by removing tartar, plaque, and staining. Your hygienist can remove debris that flossing and brushing cannot.
• Fluoride treatment. Along with your teeth cleaning, your dentist may recommend a fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a critical mineral in our dental health as it strengthens the enamel. 
• Dental sealants placement. Dental sealants are thin coverings placed over the deep grooves of the teeth. The dental sealant protects your teeth from the possible development of tooth decay. 

Early Detection of Dental Issues

One of the most significant long-term benefits of regular dental check-ups is the early detection of dental health issues. Preventing dental problems is better than treatment. During your routine visit, Dr. Perrone will:

• Examine your gum and bone tissues. Dr. Perrone will examine your gums for signs of periodontal disease. This could include redness, inflamed gum tissues, or loss of bone. Periodontal disease is a progressive one. Beyond its earliest stage, it can not be cured but only managed.
• Check for tooth decay. Sometimes we may notice a crack in our tooth or tooth decay until we experience a severe toothache or tooth sensitivity. When left untreated, tooth decay will progress into the tooth’s nerve. Dental restoration is more manageable and less expensive when tooth decay is detected early.
• Oral Cancer Detection. The dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and other mouth parts during your routine dental visit. Oral cancer is a life-threatening condition. Dr. Perrone uses a special light (Velscope) to look for changes in oral tissues the naked eye cannot see. If Dr. Perrone notices any changes in your oral tissues, she will recommend further treatment and diagnosis.

Assessment of Previous Dental Restorations

Most dental procedures are not permanent. Dental restorations can get damaged over time. Damaged dental restorations like crowns, onlays, inlays, and veneers can cause pain, discomfort, and possible root canal therapy if left untreated.

Treatment Plan Options

When you visit your dentist routinely, and dental issues are detected early, you will have many choices. For example, when you have tooth decay, your dentist can treat the early stages of tooth decay with a restoration that is less expensive and not painful. When the damage progresses, and a simple repair is no longer possible, your options become narrowed to dental crowns or onlays. Tooth decay left untreated can lead to loss of the tooth.

Professional Cleaning

A professional teeth cleaning involves using a special scaler to remove plaque and tartar that forms between your teeth and under your gum tissues. 

After removing tartar, your dentist uses an electric toothbrush to remove the remaining plaque and tartar and rinse your mouth. In addition to the cleaning, your dentist could apply fluoride, an essential mineral for the strength and health of the tooth enamel. Fluoride treatment helps protect your teeth from cavities and decay.

A professional dental cleaning can remove tartar and plaque that is challenging to clean with regular brushing and flossing. Additionally, the hygienist can clean in-between your teeth and under the gums without causing any damage.

Dental Health Education

The education you receive is vital to maintaining good dental health at home. After thoroughly assessing your teeth, gums, and mouth for any signs of oral health complications, Dr. Perrone will advise you on habits and lifestyle choices you may need to change if you want to maintain your oral health. Some of the information you may receive can include the following:

• Diet and nutrition. If you are at risk of some dental complications or have signs of particular systemic health conditions, Dr. Perrone will advise you on foods that are ok and what to avoid. 
• Teeth grinding. If your Dr. Perrone finds signs of tooth chipping or breakage that she believes are caused by bruxism, she will recommend the fabrication of a custom mouthguard.
• Bad habits. Habits like chewing on ice and smoking will be discouraged. If you are a smoker, your dentist could spot tooth discoloration and bad breath signs. You may not realize the risk they cause until you have developed severe complications like periodontal disease or oral cancer.
• Oral hygiene education. During these visits, the hygienist will teach you how to brush and floss your teeth to remove plaque.

It helps with Possible Sleep Problems.

Dr. Perrone can spot complications associated with sleep issues during regular dental visits. Patients who grind their teeth tend to do so during sleep. In this case, they can further assess and treat the underlying sleep disorder. When you skip your dental visits, the condition may not be detected, and this could cause further health complications.

Additionally, Dr. Perrone may be able to assess if you will need oral devices to treat sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea.

Advice on Cosmetic Procedures

As we age, we may need a boost to our self-confidence with cosmetic dentistry. This can include teeth whitening or porcelain veneers. Your routine dental visits are a perfect time to inquire if you are a good candidate for such procedures to enhance your smile.

Save Money

Millions of Americans skip going to the dentist every year for various reasons. Many believe skipping dental visits is a way to save money. Unfortunately, failing to stick to your routine dental visits may result in more significant dental issues, costing you a lot in treatment, discomfort, and time.

According to recent studies, every dollar you save on preventive dental care will save you several more restorative procedures. If you have dental insurance coverage, they will likely cover the total cost of your preventive procedure and partial treatment procedures and rarely cover cosmetic procedures. If you want to maintain good oral health and save some money, regular dental visits should be at the top of the list.

Comfortable, Relaxed Dental Care

Good oral health has been proven to be vital to your overall well-being. While proper oral hygiene, like brushing and flossing, is essential, regular dental check-ups are critical to maintaining proper oral health. 

Marielaina Perrone DDS offers a wide range of dental treatment procedures for your entire family. We serve patients requiring dental check-ups and preventive and treatment procedures in Las Vegas, Summerlin, and Henderson, NV. Call us at 702-458-2929 today to schedule an appointment.