Regular Dental check-ups with your Dentist are very important to help spot any early signs of tooth decay, gum disease or oral cancer. Your dentist will assess your current oral health and look for any early signs or risk of future problems; they may also advice a visit to the hygienist. Normally the dentist would request either a 6monthly or a yearly dental examination; this would of course depend on the oral health of the patient and the findings during the examination.
During the examination the dentist will carry out a full examination of your mouth, teeth and gums, they may also ask you about your general health and if you have been prescribed any new medication since your last visit as this can also affect your oral health. You may also be asked about your Diet, smoking, drinking and people with weak immune system, as these can also affect your oral health. If you find any problems or changes within the mouth between your yearly or 6 monthly examinations you should contact your dentist for an earlier review appointment. Your dentist may not take x-rays at every appointment; this will depend on the results of your discussion with the dentist and if they feel this would help in any way.
Patients with Dental Implants are advised after their surgery how to maintain the dental Implants and the health of the gums, it is very important to make sure the oral health is maintained with regularly hygiene appointments and annual checkups/ examinations to prevent gum disease and possible infections of the Dental Implants.
The British Dental Health Foundation says that:
Only one in four adults don’t brush twice a day, including a third of men
- 42% of adults use a tooth brush and tooth paste for their oral care
- 21% of adults use dental floss regularly
One in three never floss their teeth
The UK is one of the most likely nations in Europe to visit their dentist for a check-up helping to prevent the battle against poor oral health, the UK was ranked second (72%) after the Netherlands (79%)
Around 2% of the population have never visited a dentist
Always remember prevention is better than cure and the earlier your seen the easier the resolution.
