4 Reasons to Never Skip a Dental Appointment
The ADA recommends dental appointments every six months at the longest, but can you guess the amount of time the average American waits between appointments? Three years!
That alarming statistic begs the question – Why do so many Americans skip out on their biannual dental visits? While anxiety, busy schedules, and forgetfulness are all viable answers, the real question is why shouldn’t you miss a dental appointment. Discover four vital reasons why you should never skip out on your dental appointments with Dr. Streater.
1. MISSING AN APPOINTMENT MAKES MILD PROBLEMS WORSE
A major advantage of visiting the dentist is that they’re able to spot problems in their early stages when they’re most treatable. For example, gum disease has three stages: Gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. While gingivitis can be cured with a thorough dental cleaning, waiting until it develops into its later stages may require tooth extraction or even surgery. This clearly shows the importance of visiting your dentist at the earliest opportunity.
2. GET REGULARLY SCREENED FOR ORAL CANCER
An often overlooked benefit of your regular dental visit is that Dr. Streater also screens every patient for oral cancer. The startling fact about oral cancer is that over 49,000 people will be diagnosed with the disease this year. In its later stages, oral cancer is extremely deadly and nearly impossible to treat – but if caught early, your chances of survival rise significantly. Oral cancer screenings are another critical reason to keep up to date with your dental visits.
3. ADVANCED CLEANING
Brushing and flossing each day is vital for a healthy smile, but it’s only a piece of the oral health puzzle. While oral care at home is excellent, it has limitations. For example, hardened plaque turns into tartar, and tartar cannot be removed by brushing or flossing. Luckily, our dental teams in Fort Myers and Shell Point Village have the tools and experience to remove plaque and tartar from all of your hard-to-reach areas.
4. EDUCATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
For the most part, we all learn how to brush and floss from our parents. If there is any flaw in your home care routine, your dentist will notice, and will give you tips to help you out. Whether you’re neglecting a corner of your mouth or perhaps not flossing as effectively as you could, our dental team will give you constructive corrections on keeping your smile strong, white, and healthy. Plus, if there are any procedures that would benefit your smile, we’ll give you the information you need to make an informed decision.
MAKE DR. STREATER YOUR GO-TO DENTIST IN 2020
The best way to ensure that your mouth stays healthy is to commit to keeping it that way before it’s time for your appointment. This not only means excellent brushing and flossing but making it to your dental appointments every six months. Plan to prioritize your smile in the upcoming year and you’ll stand a much greater chance of avoiding dental problems and maintaining a healthy smile. Contact Dr. Streater today to schedule your next appointment.