How Regular Check-Ups With Your Dentist Can Protect Your Oral Health

Regular check-ups are the best (and only) way to prevent dental decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. Check-ups protect you from experiencing the pain caused by dental problems. They also help you avoid extensive (and expensive) dental repairs.

The odds of developing dental problems are higher than you may realize. Half of children have cavities by age five, and one in four adults have untreated cavities. Among adults older than 30, half have gum disease.

Our general dentistry team at TLN Family Dental in Houston and Pearland, Texas, is passionate about protecting oral health and preventing dental problems. As specialists in family dentistry, we welcome people of all ages needing dental care.

Read on to learn about six ways check-ups protect your dental health.

1. Eliminate plaque and tartar

Carbohydrate digestion begins in your mouth. The carbs break down into sugar, and then the sugar molecules mix with saliva and bacteria, forming plaque that sticks to your teeth.

Proper twice-daily brushing can remove plaque, but any plaque that stays on your teeth will harden into tartar. Once tartar forms, brushing doesn’t help. A professional dental cleaning is the only way to remove this calcified plaque.

Dental cleanings are a routine part of your check-ups. We use instruments to gently scrape away plaque and tartar, then deep-clean and polish your teeth.

2. Prevent cavities, gum infections, and pain

The dental cleaning you get during a check-up prevents cavities, infections, and pain by removing plaque and tartar.

The plaque that sticks to your teeth holds bacteria against the enamel and gums. Bacteria release acids that erode the enamel. That’s the first step toward dental decay.

Tartar also contains acid-releasing bacteria, leading to deeper tooth decay. Additionally, the hard pieces of tartar can create gaps between your teeth and gums.

Deep decay and gaps allow bacteria to invade your gums. If you skip your check-ups, your gums can readily become inflamed. This is called gingivitis, or early gum disease. Gingivitis progresses into severe gum disease (periodontal disease) without treatment.

3. Lower the risk of tooth loss

Regular dental check-ups prevent tooth loss by eliminating plaque and tartar and finding early signs of decay, enamel erosion, gum disease, and other problems. Early detection means we can treat the primary causes of tooth loss, cavities and gum disease, long before they progress enough to put your oral health — and natural teeth — at risk.

4. Improve dental hygiene habits

During your check-up, we may recognize signs that you need to improve your brushing and flossing techniques. If we do, we suggest ways to improve your daily oral care routine.

Improving dental hygiene usually involves simple changes like brushing longer, brushing more thoroughly, brushing shortly after eating, and flossing regularly. If you have concerns like early gum disease, we may recommend using a special mouthwash or other products.

We may also discuss lifestyle concerns like diet and smoking. Smoking doubles your risk of gum disease. You or your child may also need to limit sugary foods to reduce plaque.

5. Get children off to a good start

Children should visit the dentist when their first tooth comes in or by their first birthday. Their initial visit is fun and comforting, focusing on building connections and helping them overcome anxiety.

During a child’s first check-up, we introduce them to the dental environment and visually examine their teeth. We may also start an age-appropriate conversation about how to care for their teeth, if they’re older than one.

As long as children don’t have any problems, they won’t need a complete dental check-up until all their baby teeth come in (usually by the age of three).  

Though most children can learn to brush by their third birthday, they still need your help. They don’t have the coordination to brush properly on their own until they're six to eight years old.

We’re here to help parents by answering their questions and offering tips for supporting their reluctant brushers.

6. Detect signs of oral cancer

Many people don’t realize that oral cancer screening is a routine part of every dental check-up. The earliest signs of oral cancer are visible sores and white or red patches, but you may not notice minor changes in your mouth on your own.

We look for signs, examining all areas of your mouth during your check-up. If we see suspicious sores or discolored areas, or if we detect a lump or swollen glands, we take a biopsy and have it examined in a specialty lab to determine if you may have cancerous growths.

Is it time for your dental check-up?

Has it been six months or longer since your last check-up? Call or click online to schedule an appointment at your nearest TLN Family Dental office in Houston or Pearland, Texas, today.