The importance of regular dental check-ups to care for oral and dental health

Maintaining healthy teeth and mouth is important for everyone - young and old, male and female. Apart from regularly brushing your teeth and using mouthwash, it is also important to regularly check your teeth at the dentist. How often do you have to check your teeth?

Why do you have to check your teeth?

Dental examinations by dentists can detect and treat various disorders that commonly affect the mouth area. For example, cavities (caries) and gum disease.

Cavities are a permanent problem and will not heal on their own. If left untreated, the hole will open wider and the pain will get worse. Tooth holes that are already severe can cause an infection that spreads to the roots and causes swelling (abscess). In people with low immunity, the infection can spread to other organs such as the sinuses, jaw, to the neck and chest area.

Unfortunately, most people are not aware of the oral and dental problems they experience. In fact, the earlier the disease is detected, the simpler the treatment will be, the cheaper the cost, the smaller the risk of getting sick.

Even dentists can check for signs and symptoms of oral cancer when examining your teeth.

Then, how many times do I have to check my teeth?

Adults are advised to check their teeth regularly every 6 months. However, if you have complaints about your teeth and mouth, you are advised to come to the dentist immediately.

The frequency of visits every 6 months is also not the same for everyone. If you have metabolic or systemic disorders and are at risk of developing oral and dental diseases, you will be advised to have your teeth checked every 3 months.

Children are also advised to routinely check their teeth every 6 months, starting from the age of 6-7 months when their first baby teeth have grown. Furthermore, continue to take the child to the dentist even if there are no complaints whatsoever. In addition to term control, this also aims to introduce children to dentists, nurses, dental clinics so that later they are not afraid if they need dental procedures at any time.

Do elderly people still need to have their teeth checked?

Yes! Parents certainly still need routine dental check-ups. Aging not only causes gray hair and wrinkled skin, but also has a certain effect on the teeth and oral cavity. Examples include cavities, dry mouth, loose teeth, and tooth loss (toothless).

That is why dental examinations are very important to find out what problems you are experiencing and how to treat them appropriately, so as to improve comfort and quality of life.

For the elderly who already have many systemic diseases and are taking medicines that affect the condition of the oral teeth, dental check-ups may need more frequently as needed and as recommended by the doctor.

What should be prepared before routine dental checkups? Do you need to brush your teeth first?

Before routine dental check-ups to the doctor, it's okay to brush your teeth, but it's not mandatory. It is the dentist who will clean your mouth and teeth.

All you need to do is be open about the condition of your mouth and answer honestly all questions asked by the doctor. For example, if your doctor asks you about how often you brush your teeth every day, it's best to answer as honestly as possible. Then if there is a complaint, for example, there is a toothache, as much as possible tell the full story, for example, since when the complaint appeared and how painful it was.

What do you check for regular dental checkups?

During a routine dental check, the doctor will check the condition of your teeth - for cavities, fractures, cracks, broken fillings, or plaque and tartar. Plaque and tartar are a source of infection in the oral cavity, so if they are present and severe, they must be cleaned immediately. The dentist will also assess how high your risk is for cavities.

The doctor can then examine the position of the wisdom tooth that has grown obliquely or in a messy row of teeth. If after being examined you still need supporting images, the dentist will recommend that you undergo a dental X-ray to plan further action.

In addition to examining the teeth, the doctor will also check the condition of the gums and other supporting dental tissues which play a big role in dental health. Starting from the tongue, palate, to the jaw joints. There are other problems that appear in the tooth supporting tissue, such as bleeding gums, swollen gums, drooping gums, and loose teeth caused by damaged gums, which will all be checked. Later the dentist will examine and provide appropriate treatment.

The dentist will also check how well you are taking care of your oral and dental health. Your doctor can teach you how to brush your teeth properly, as well as other necessary treatments for healthy and well-groomed teeth.

Do not forget, the doctor will ask about your daily habits, such as diet, smoking, parafunctions (habits like biting pencils, nails, clenching the jaw, bruxism or grinding teeth) which can have a negative impact on teeth.

What are the standard home treatments that can be done to maintain healthy teeth?

To care for oral health and avoid various risks of disease, you should start implementing these three things every day:

• Apply a toothbrush 2 times a day with fluoridated toothpaste, especially in the morning and before bed. Do it for 2 minutes, making sure the entire surface of the teeth is brushed from facing the lips and cheeks, the chewing surface, and the surface facing the tongue or roof of the mouth.
• Use dental floss or an interdental brush on the gaps between the teeth once a day. You can also do a tongue brush to keep your tongue healthy and promote oral health.
• You can also use additional fluoride substances to prevent cavities. In people with a high risk of cavities, it is recommended to use fluoridated mouthwash. Whereas for people with a high risk of gum disease, you can use an antimicrobial mouthwash as recommended by your doctor.
• Gargle with mouthwash. Choose one that does not contain alcohol, because it can dry out the mouth. However, it is not recommended that you rinse your mouth for more than 2 weeks in a row.

Don't forget to also eat foods that are high in nutrition (containing calcium, phosphorus, and fiber) and limit your consumption of sweet foods and drinks. In addition, drink lots of water to increase saliva production to clean and moisturize the mouth. Avoid smoking to keep your teeth bright.

Avoid brushing your teeth too hard to prevent the gums from receding. It is also not recommended to brush your teeth immediately after eating, because this can erode the enamel layer of your teeth. Also avoid biting objects or foods that are too hard, too tightly.

Routinely checking your dental health to the dentist is also one way of proper treatment and prevention. Immediately visit the dentist when you feel complaints such as small holes or bleeding gums before the pain appears. If there are cavities in the teeth, fill them in immediately.

How to choose a good dentist?

In general, all dentists are equally good and good because they have been standardized. Choose a doctor who is comfortable for you to talk to and educates well about your oral and dental health problems.