We humans were built to help each other out, and this is evident when you already have a family to take care of, as you would always prioritise their needs before your own. This is why dental checkups have always been at the bottom of our to-do list, where work and family or social life are at the top. If your teeth are not hurting or if your gums are not swelling, then there’s no need to think about your oral health. Having this attitude might not only cost you dental expenses that will pile up but also your overall health. And what better way to spot the dental issues early than to book yourself some dental checkups twice in a year at Adawn Dental Studio Fitzroy as a part of investing in your well-being?
What Are Regular Dental Checkups?
A regular dental checkup is typically a visit to the dentist once every six months. However, if your oral health has already been compromised, you might need to visit your dental professional more often than others as a precaution.
During a dental check-up, your dentist will usually involve a full examination of your mouth specific to your teeth, gums, and tongue; professional cleaning that removes the buildup of your plaque and tartar; and the assessment coming from your dentist as to any issues that you need to know about to help you improve your oral health in a way that is personalised to your lifestyle.
Early Detection: Why It’s a Big Deal
Early detection is usually the key benefit of any regular check-ups, as catching issues and concerns early on can lead to better treatments for your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. And we’re not only talking about cavities here, some of which are some signs like gum disease that might lead to affecting your general health; things that can wear your teeth down like grinding them while you sleep; bite issues that are not only when you eat but also how you see yourself in the mirror; and nutritional deficiencies.
Believe it or not, all of these things are connected to a larger health issue that might show up, so knowing these things early on is a good way to check if you are relatively healthy.
Why We Skip the Dentist (And Why That Needs to Change)
Studies show that a significant population not only in Australia but in the whole world is delaying dental visits and even avoiding them altogether. There’s a certain concern that is called “dental anxiety,” and while this is understandable, especially if you do not feel any pain in your teeth and gums, ignoring your dental health will only get expensive to fix later on.
It’s Not Just About Teeth—It’s About Overall Health
Just like what it says, overall health is the main concern and goal of regular check-ups, not only for us adults but for our kids as well. As early as now, kids should get into the habit of regular dental visits to reinforce good hygiene habits as well as to detect early decay and alignment issues with their teeth early on. At the same time, having a great experience of going to the dentist will reduce the anxiety during appointments and can bring out the confidence and awareness that oral health is as important as your overall health.
Making It a Part of Your Lifestyle and Routine
Let’s be real, no one really loves going to the dentist—this is why it is important to discipline ourselves into devoting an hour or two of our time in a year to check-ups. To interest you a bit, think of it as a personal investment that can save you from hours of pain and other complicated dental procedures later on.
All of us are active in our own way, and whenever we want to be away from our busy lives, our daily activities don’t slow down. This is why it’s good practice to incorporate regular dental check-ups in your annual planning of activities to ensure that you won’t need to worry about maintaining your oral health at any time, anywhere.
The only thing you need to do is to show up.
To make things easier on your end, always book your appointments in advance, ask someone to go with you if you have dental anxiety, and schedule a pre-booking appointment first so that you’ll know your dentist and the staff even before you talk about your concerns.
