Making regular bi-annual dental appointments is just as important for your oral health as keeping your annual physical exam with your primary care doctor. In fact, poor dental health can impact your overall physical health, so it’s doubly important to keep your scheduled dental checkups.
At Dental Arts of Hoboken, our board-certified dentists can take care of all of your family’s dental needs; at our office in Hoboken, New Jersey, we encompass general, cosmetic, and pediatric dentistry. Check out these five important reasons why it’s important to see your dentist at least two times a year.
A mouth cancer check
You know your primary care provider looks down your throat at a physical exam, but it’s your dentist who performs a comprehensive examination for telltale signs of mouth cancer — for example, cancer on your tongue, throat, tonsils, floor of your mouth, or salivary glands. They also check for head and neck cancer. Early detection could help save your life.
Professional guidance on dental hygiene at home
If we see signs of early gum disease, we review your brushing and flossing schedule. We show you the correct way to brush and floss, how long to brush, and the type of toothbrush you should be using. We explain the dangers of gum disease and how your efforts plus ours can keep your teeth and gums healthy.
We can also help you instill good oral hygiene habits in your children by showing them how to take care of their teeth. We make a visit to the dentist fun for your children as they play with toys in our child-friendly waiting room.
Cleaning to prevent disease
No matter how much you brush and floss your teeth, you likely won’t be able to remove every bit of the plaque from food debris that then turns into a hard substance called tartar. Once tartar forms, only your hygienist can remove it at your dental cleaning using special dental tools and equipment. If the tartar isn’t removed at regular dental appointments, the bacteria leads to gum disease as well as tooth decay.
Provide needed services when disease occurs
Even if you have good dental hygiene, sometimes disease occurs. You get a cavity or have an infection that requires a root canal. You may be more prone to gum disease because of a prescription medication you take, crooked teeth that are so closely jammed together that brushing and flossing can’t extract all the plaque, or even your genetic makeup.
Our caring dentists with Dental Arts of Hoboken explain the treatment you need, why you need it, and what may happen if you delay treatment.
Refers to specialists for bite and jaw problems
We examine your bite and your child’s bite and your lower jaw movement at your appointments. A bad bite can eventually result in wear-and-tear on the teeth so that teeth become loose, break, or wear down. It can cause jaw disorders such as TMJ as well as gum disease.
If your child has a severely misaligned bite, we refer you to an orthodontist who specializes in your child’s needs. If you have a mild bite problem, we may be able to resolve it with Invisalign aligners.
Call Dental Arts of Hoboken or book an appointment online today to schedule dental checkups for your entire family.