Regular general dentistry visits with Dr. Julie Glud will help keep your teeth healthy and will help you maintain your wonderful smile. While you may have excellent oral hygiene habits, you still need regular dental checkups.
You should have a least two dental checkup visits a year. Here are five reasons why.
#1: Cavities, Plaque, and Tartar
Even if you brush your teeth two or three times a day and floss them at least once a day, you can still miss some areas. In areas of your teeth that you miss, plaque can develop. As it progresses, it becomes tartar, which can only be removed professionally.
If the tartar on your teeth is not removed on a regular basis, you can develop tooth decay (cavities). While cavities may not cause you any pain, they erode the integrity of your teeth.
#2: Gum Disease
Gum disease is caused by an excessive buildup of tartar along your gum line. If gum disease is not addressed by routine dental checkups, the soft tissue in your gums will be damaged. This can lead to bone loss, which in turn can lead to tooth loss.
Your gum disease is treatable with deep cleaning (also known as scaling and root planing). Unlike a regular dental cleaning, this dental procedure removes your infected gum tissue, calculus, and tartar.
Gum disease can increase your risk for heart problems, diabetes, and strokes. Regular checkups can nip gum disease in the bud before it affects your overall health.
#3: X-Rays
When you go to general dentistry appointments, your teeth will be X-rayed at least once a year. X-rays are a good tool to identify issues with your teeth that can’t be seen with a visual inspection.
Teeth, like any other part of your body, can have serious problems. Some of these include bone deterioration, jawbone damage, swelling, cysts and tumors. These are dental problems that need immediate and effective treatment.
#4: Oral Cancer
Oral cancer can spread quickly. If it is not treated early, oral cancer can be fatal. When you get regular dental checkups, one of the things that Dr. Glud will look for are persistent sores or discolored tissue on your lips, throat, hard and soft palate, tongue, mouth floor, and cheeks.
You will also have a physical examination to check for tissue changes or lumps in your oral cavity, your face, your head, and your neck. If anything is suspicious, you may have a biopsy done.
If you do have oral cancer, you will have different options of treatment to kill the cancerous cells.
#5: Help with Bad Oral Habits
We all have some bad oral habits, even when we do our best to maintain good dental hygiene. Some of them are conscious, like chewing ice or hard candy or smoking. Others, like grinding your teeth while you sleep, are not.
Whatever bad oral habits you have are addressed during your routine dental checkups. You can get help for both your conscious and unconscious bad oral habits. You may be given information on smoking cessation programs or alternatives to chewing ice or hard candy. If you grind your teeth while you sleep, you can be fitted with a custom-formed mouth guard you wear at night to protect your teeth.
Schedule Your General Dental Visit in Lombard, IL
Your dental health is an essential part of your overall health. When you schedule a routine dental checkup with Dr. Julie Glud, you will get the best dental care in the Lombard, IL area. Dr. Glud and her team believe in welcoming and compassionate care that meets every individual patient’s needs. Call Dental Care of Lombard now at (630) 629-5700 to schedule an appointment.
