7 Invaluable Benefits of Twice-Yearly Dental Visits

Don’t brush off your dentist just because you brush and floss regularly. Even though you think you clean your teeth well and thoroughly, nothing takes the place of a professional dental cleaning. Your dental team can remove tartar and stains that only specialized tools and techniques can address.

Your dentist also checks your oral health, including the health of your gums.  Regular X-rays let them look inside your teeth, too.

At Me Dental Spa, our board-certified dentist, Denis Mustedanagic, DMD, takes care of all of your oral health needs in West Hollywood in greater Los Angeles, California. Just as you brush twice daily, you should visit your dentist at least twice yearly. Here’s why.

1. You get better prevention against cavities

In the United States, 1 in 4 women and men have untreated tooth decay. Roughly 90% have had at least one cavity. You prevent cavities by rinsing after eating, brushing at least twice a day, and flossing daily. But routine dental visits significantly improve your odds of avoiding them.

Our team offers professional dental cleaning, which includes removing plaque, tartar, and stains. We also give you the option of fluoride treatments and dental sealants that protect your teeth from cavity-causing bacteria. 

And even though you may think you brush and floss properly, you may need a little brush-up based on the latest evidence. 

For instance, did you know that most dentists now recommend flossing before brushing, rather than after? You should also place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle at the gumline.  

2. Dentists catch decay early

You can only have a zero cavity risk if you never eat sugar, carbohydrates, or acids. No matter how careful you are with healthy eating and oral health habits, you may still develop a small cavity. 

When you see our team every six months, we find those tiny cavities and treat them before they cause damage.

When we spot a small cavity, we clean it and fill it with bonding. You don’t even need an anesthetic. But if you wait too long and the cavity grows larger, you may need a large filling, a root canal, or — in extreme cases — a tooth extraction. 

3. Your dentist protects your gums

You may not give much thought to your gums, but periodontal disease is the most common oral health problem after tooth decay in the United States. In fact, nearly half of women and men aged 30 and older — and more than half of older adults — have some degree of periodontal (i.e., gum) disease. 

Untreated gum disease often leads to tooth loss. But if we spot signs that your gums are inflamed or infected during one of your biannual dental exams, we help you reverse the problem to restore optimal gum health.

4. Your health is protected

Routine cleanings and exams help protect and improve your oral health, of course, but they also protect your overall health. 

Tartar that isn’t regularly removed can flake off and find its way to your heart, raising your risk for a heart attack. Infections in your teeth may pass through your bloodstream to other organs and even cause a life-threatening infection called sepsis.

5. We see problems early

Just as it’s better to catch a cavity earlier rather than later, it’s better to catch an oral cancer earlier, too. When we examine your teeth and gums we look for evidence of several problems that could severely impair your health, comfort, or even your life, such as:

• Bruxism
• TMJ disorders
• Oral cancer
• Sleep apnea

When we identify these problems early, you get the best shot at an optimal outcome.  You may need to wear an oral device to treat sleep apnea, for instance. Or we may need to refer you to an oncologist for oral cancer treatment.

6. Your smile brightens

If all of the above feels too abstract and “maybe,” you might appreciate the next benefit the most: A professional cleaning gives you a whiter, brighter smile — even without cosmetic teeth whitening treatments. 

Regular cleanings with professional dental tools clear plaque, tartar, and superficial stains from your enamel. This brightens your smile and freshens your breath.

7. You get invaluable tips

During your exam, we may notice areas where you aren’t brushing properly. Or we may see evidence that you’re using a toothbrush that’s too hard for your enamel. When necessary, we go over techniques to improve your daily routine. 

In addition, we can give you dietary tips, such as avoiding sugars and simple carbohydrates.   

Is it time for your next professional cleaning and exam?  If so, call us at 213-442-1992 or use our online appointment form today.