Ever since you were a teenager, you realized the importance of keeping a strict oral care regimen. You brushed twice a day and were surprised when you found out your friends didn’t floss every day. You even included a mouth wash to add extra protection and cut as much sugar out of your diet as possible. To you, dental visits felt optional.
Your Lincoln dentist has some news for you. No matter how good your self-care habits are, you’ll still need to visit the dentist every six months. Trust us, these visits are meant to protect you from things you’d never see coming. Keep reading to learn what those are.
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A Professional Cleaning That Can’t Be Matched
When you visit your Lincoln dentist, you truly are getting what you pay for. Dental offices are equipped with the most advanced and professional grade tools and materials to remove tartar from the deep pockets in your mouth. Keep in mind that no amount of at-home brushing can remove this tartar; it can only be done by a professional.
According to your dentist in Lincoln, it takes about 6 months for plaque to build up to the point where it needs to be removed. And that’s for a healthy person! If you aren’t keeping up with your oral care, you’ll likely need to come in sooner. If you suffer from periodontal disease, you’ll need to come in every 3 to 4 months.
Bruxism: What Is It? How Is It Treated?
Bruxism is a condition characterized by chronic teeth grinding and clenching, typically when the patient is asleep. If gone untreated, it will wear down your enamel so much it will cause it to crack, exposing it to bacteria. This increases your chances of an oral infection that will need a root canal to remove.
Luckily, visiting your Lincoln dentist every 6 months is usually enough to catch early signs of bruxism. For example, when your dentist checks your canines, the sharper-looking teeth in your mouth, he might notice how worn down they are. To her, this a symptom of teeth-grinding and will likely recommend a night guard be worn to prevent future damage.
The Best Ways to Catch Gum Disease and Early-Stage Oral Cancer
More and more dentists are contributing to patients’ overall health as well as their oral health. Since gum disease is incredibly hard to catch on your own, you’ll need a trained professional who can give a proper examination to catch early gum disease and help you reverse them.
Furthermore, catching early signs of oral cancer is a huge priority for your dentist; it’s become a common part of their examination. Skipping the dentist can put you at higher risk of missing these early signs, even if you don’t use tobacco products.
Skipping your dental visit is not worth it in the long-term. Schedule an appointment with your Lincoln dentist today so they can ensure your oral and overall health!
About the Author
Dr. Amy Wenninghoff earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Minnesota and completed her residency in Omaha, Nebraska, where she met her husband. She’s truly passionate about treating patients of all ages and committed to treating every case uniquely. This confirms her patients get the best care possible. To learn more about her preventive treatments and practice, contact her at (402) 420-2222 or visit her website.