If you don't make time for dental checkups, your appearance and oral health may suffer. Fortunately, your Fircrest, WA, dentist, Dr. Phuong Nguyen of Emerson Dental, can help you keep your smile healthy with regular checkups and dental cleanings.
Why visiting the Fircrest dental office regularly is so important
The American Dental Association recommends visiting the dentist every six months for good reason. Without these appointments, minor oral health issues that could be easily treated can become major problems.
Tooth decay, one of the most common dental issues, can quickly spread throughout your tooth and then begin to attack neighboring teeth. If you don't see the dentist every six months, the decay can become quite widespread before you're even aware that you have a problem. Although cavities can hurt, pain doesn't usually occur until a cavity is fairly large. By that time, a simple filling may not be enough to restore your tooth. You may need an inlay, onlay, crown, or even a root canal procedure.
Regular visits also offer these benefits:
- Removal of Plaque and Tartar: Your dental hygienist uses special tools to remove plaque and tartar during your checkup appointment. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that can cause cavities, while tartar is a hard deposit that forms when plaque remains on your teeth too long. Unlike plaque, tartar can't be removed at home. Both plaque and tartar may increase your risk of gum disease.
- Improved Appearance: Cleaning removes surface stains that dull your smile. If you've noticed that the bottoms of your teeth or the areas between your teeth look a little brown, you probably have tartar buildup. Removing the tartar not only improves your appearance but also keeps your smile healthy.
- Diagnosis of Oral Health Issues: In addition to checking for tooth decay, your dentist in Fircrest, WA, will also look for signs of other oral health problems, such as gum disease, oral cancer, cracked teeth or restorations, and loose teeth or fillings.
Is it time for your next checkup? Call your dentist in Fircrest, WA, Dr. Phuong Nguyen of Emerson Dental, at (253) 565-2895 to schedule your appointment.