During the Covid-19 pandemic, you could be forgiven for getting a little out of routine. As healthcare services struggle to deal with the impact of the virus, it’s easy to use this as an excuse to put off your regular appointments, but in doing so you are putting yourself and your health at risk. One such appointment you might have postponed is your dental check up. You have one twice a year, so you might be thinking what’s the harm in missing one?
Well actually, you could be doing your oral health irreparable damage by continually putting off your appointment. With dentists operating safely and within strict Covid-19 guidelines, and the vaccination programme offering increasing security, there is very little risk to you attending your local practice. So here are three very important reasons why you shouldn’t miss your dental check up:
Regular check ups can spot signs of mouth cancer
It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the inside of your mouth, to keep track of any lumps, bumps and changes to your gums, cheeks and roof of the mouth. On top of this though, your dentist is trained to spot the signs of mouth cancer. The main symptoms are mouth ulcers that do not heal within a few weeks, persistent lumps or red or white patches on the lining of the mouth. If you are worried about any of these things, you can speak to your dentist, but remember they can also spot the early signs during a dental check up. Many of these symptoms are common to other mouth infections, so they are probably nothing to worry about, but if it is mouth cancer, then spotting the signs early is key to treating and beating this disease.
Check ups can improve overall health
It’s not just your teeth and gums that might benefit from a regular dental check up. Your teeth provide a great window into your overall health. For example did you know that bad breath might be a sign of acid reflux? Or that those headaches you have been suffering might be caused by you grinding your teeth at night? And what about that loose tooth, which could indicate low bone density and therefore be a sign of osteoporosis? For the sake of your overall health, you might want to rethink postponing that dental check up.
Regular dental check ups can actually save you money (and pain!)
Unless you qualify for free NHS dental treatment, you will need to pay for your regular dental checks and any subsequent treatment. The cost of twice yearly dental health checks and hygiene appointments are a small price to pay, especially when you consider that this preventive approach might save you from problematic dental issues and big dental bills in the future.
By allowing your dentist to regularly check your teeth for signs of plaque build up, gum disease and tooth damage, you can treat minor issues before they escalate into you needing major treatment. Not only will this save you money, but it will also improve your overall oral health and help you avoid dental pain. By following the advice of your dentist and oral hygienist, you will understand how to brush and floss, or use interdental brushes, to keep your teeth and gums clean and free of the debris and bacteria that can contribute to plaque build up, cavities and gum disease.
If you have put off your dental check up and want to get back on top of your oral health routine, contact your local dentist today to book in for your next appointment.
Riverside Dental Spa is a dental practice in Vauxhall, London offering dental treatments for adults and children. To book in for a dental check up or to find out more about their full range of general dentistry services, please visit riversidedentalspa.com.
