As soon as we start growing baby teeth, we begin visiting the dentist to care for our smiles. Parents understand the importance of taking their children for regular dental checkups. However, as we become adults, life gets busy. Between work, family responsibilities, and countless other obligations, scheduling regular dental appointments can feel like too much of a hassle.
At Cove Family Dentistry in Owens Cross Roads, AL, Dr. Elizabeth Duling understands how hectic life can be. As a mother of three active girls herself, she knows firsthand how easy it is to put your own health on the back burner. But here’s the truth: regular dental visits keep your smile healthy. You cannot fight off dental problems with at-home care alone.
What Happens During Routine Dentist Appointments?
When you visit Dr. Duling for a routine appointment, your visit begins with a thorough professional cleaning. A dental hygienist carefully removes tartar and plaque buildup from your teeth, paying special attention to hard-to-reach spots like near the gumline and between your teeth.
Even if you brush and floss every day, you likely miss these spots. Plaque that isn’t removed hardens into tartar, which you cannot remove with a regular toothbrush. This tartar buildup can harm your dental health by causing cavities and gum disease. Professional cleanings remove these harmful residues before they can damage your teeth and gums.
After your cleaning, Dr. Duling examines your teeth and gums for early signs of dental problems. She looks for cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, tooth cracks, and other concerns. Her thorough examination often catches problems in their earliest stages, when they’re easiest and least expensive to treat.
If Dr. Duling finds any issues, she can offer swift treatment to address them before they cause lasting damage to your smile. Early intervention is key to maintaining good oral health and avoiding more complex, costly procedures down the road.
Dr. Duling also takes digital X-rays as needed to see what’s happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums. These images reveal problems that aren’t visible during a regular exam, such as cavities between teeth, infections at the root, or bone loss from gum disease.
When Do I Schedule Dental Check-Ups?
The average dental patient should visit their dentist for a dental check-up and cleaning every six months. This makes for the ideal window of clearing away plaque and spotting dental dangers in a timely fashion. Your dentist can prevent dental problems with prompt and timely preventative care like this.
Some patients may need to see their dentist more frequently for these routine appointments. For instance, senior patients, those with a high propensity for tartar formation, and people with underlying medical conditions might need to schedule these visits three or four times a year. Consult with your dentist to find the best treatment plan for your unique smile.
What Do I Do During a Dental Emergency?
Even with diligent oral hygiene and preventative dentistry, accidents may occur that hurt your smile. You might suffer a dental injury or feel pain in your teeth or gums. This discomfort is abnormal.
You should not wait until your regularly scheduled dentist appointment to contact your dentist about your dental concerns. Call your dentist about any dental issues. They may ask you to come to their office for an emergency dental evaluation.
They can give you urgent treatment so that you no longer feel pain or other discomfort in your smile. In many cases, time might be of the essence to preserve your oral health.
If you get a tooth knocked out, you will need to take yourself and the tooth to the dentist as soon as possible. The more time you spend with the tooth gone from your smile, the less likely the dentist can successfully reattach it. Do not hesitate to give your dentist a call about any questions you have about your oral health.
Schedule Your Visit Today
Don’t put off your dental health any longer. Whether you need a routine checkup or have a dental emergency, contact Cove Family Dentistry today. Dr. Elizabeth Duling and her team are here to help you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.
Call our Owens Cross Roads dental office at 256-534-1475 or request an appointment with Dr. Duling online. Your teeth and gums will thank you.