Your teeth are what people see when you smile — and they’re also key to eating, digestion, and speech. In short, caring for your teeth and oral health protects your overall health too.
However, with over three billion people globally struggling with oral diseases, we clearly need to do more to protect our teeth and gums. Additionally, most American adults (90%) have at least one cavity, and nearly half (42%) deal with gum disease.
Even if you practice excellent dental hygiene at home, it’s not going to be enough to keep your teeth completely healthy. Annual dental exams at Hillsdale Dental Care in San Jose, California, are the other half of the oral health care equation.
Here, Dr. Roge Jacob, Dr. Magdalena Azzarelli, and our expert team explore five invaluable benefits of twice-yearly dental visits.
Proper brushing and flossing at home are strong habits to care for your teeth and gums and protect your oral health, but these methods can’t get into all of the spaces bacteria and other harmful substances can reach.
Getting to the dentist at least once a year gives you an opportunity to see how well you’re taking care of your teeth. It also gives us a chance to assess both your oral health and key factors like family and personal medical history to determine your oral disease risk.
In short, routine dental visits can reveal what oral health problems you’re at risk for, and help you take the right steps toward preventing disease and other oral health problems.
Visiting us every six months improves your ability to manage key aspects of dental care:
Even if your teeth are in great health, family history of specific oral conditions can make it necessary to reduce your risk of those issues. We can also help you see if plaque and tartar are collecting where you can’t see or get to, allowing us to treat things before they get serious.
Your basic check-up includes a visual examination, a thorough cleaning, and important tips on what you may need to do at home to take better care of your teeth and gums.
Since brushing and flossing can’t reach every tooth and gum surface, deep cleanings are an effective way to get to those tight areas and reduce your risk of gum disease.
The signs of oral cancer aren’t easy to see if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Luckily, we do — and we have comprehensive screening processes to assess your risk, check your mouth, and help you avoid it.
Symptoms like tooth pain, enamel discoloration, and gum redness can mean gum disease and tooth decay, which can create issues for multiple teeth if not treated in time. X-rays can help us get a full picture of what’s happening, so we can treat the problem thoroughly without delay.
Oral health check-ups combined with sticking to your at-home dental hygiene routine provides you with the best chance of maintaining a healthy smile for life — and we’re here to help. Call 408-404-8385 to schedule an appointment with our team at Hillsdale Dental Care today.
