Yes, the average time that you should visit your dentist is every 6 months at least. I do not suggest you go to your dentist when there is already pain or you are already in unpleasant situations. Because, one, we don't like you collecting bad memories with us, despite our treatments being mostly pain-free nowadays. We want you to experience dental clinics like spas, a day of pampering, instead of like a hospital with emergencies. And two, pain prior to visiting your dentist may mean additional costs. We both agree we don't want that, right?
So what do we have to do? Come and visit us every 6 months so we can do an overall check-up and possibly prescribe Oral Prophylaxis, x-rays, or Fluoride Treatment to ensure oral health.
If you are not convinced yet, here are some of the most important and detailed reasons why you should see us every 6 months:
To avoid getting gum problems. In a 6-month span, there is already a build-up of plaque or tartar (calculus deposits) that are hidden and may cause damage to both your gums and bone. When these harmful elements stay long underneath these structures, it leads to irreversible damage. These structures will recede if the infection is not controlled and persists. If these recede, chances are you will lose your teeth because gum and bone hold your teeth in place. Imagine, a simple Oral Prophylaxis or dental cleaning every 6 months is all you need to avoid such a disaster.
To prevent decay from getting bigger. Just because you had a dental filling before doesn't mean you're exempted from getting it again on the same tooth and surface. Unfortunately, we still haven't found a "forever tooth filling." I'll let you know if we finally find one, though! But in the meantime, we have to take extra care of fillings. Because like your normal tooth, your tooth gets re-decayed if not properly maintained. Your normal dental filling called Composite Fillings usually shrink over time depending on your eating and chewing habits. It is vital to detect decay early on to avoid future disasters or pain. With a routine check-up, you will know when your dental fillings may need a replacement already, or else, a bigger dental decay might happen.
To protect. Just like your body, your teeth need vitamins as well. And with all the processed food, especially sugary food, that we love nowadays, eating healthy and calcium-rich foods won't be enough, sadly. Some may be lucky to be decay-free, and even they need to protect this fortune. We recommend Fluoride Varnish to aid in maintaining decay-free teeth or even lessen the sensitivity of tooth parts that have worn off. The same goes and is even more important for people who are prone to decay and have large fillings or crowns already. Again, and I cannot stress this enough, you want to avoid pain and bigger dental costs. Always remind yourself that you eat (hopefully) three times a day or more, you talk every day and you use your teeth for these, and you should protect them.
To remind. If there are things that need work that you said you will have fixed the next time you visit, we will tell you that this is a sign. Through sound diagnostic procedures, like an x-ray (inside view of your teeth and bone), of course. We are here not to nag, but to remind you to avoid future disasters. Prescribing x-ray updates to see how certain cases might have escalated or plateaued will help both of us to gauge the severity of your case. The rate of spread of decay or infection varies from person to person. It is affected by how a person bites, their mouth habits, or even their diet. So to give us a clearer picture of what is happening, we will be able to accurately advise and make you aware that it is really time to get that procedure done, or you still have time to think.
To save money. It might sound the opposite since you might think that the more frequent you visit your dentist, the more frequent you have to pay as well. But actually, regular check-ups will prevent you from getting decays, developing gum problems, further destruction of an existing problem, etc. And these things might cost you 10x more than what you could have paid for regular check-ups for 5 years.
Let us always aim for pleasant dental visits rather than a horror story, shall we?
Well, that's about some of the examples of why you come and see us every 6 months. I try to make explanations as simple as I can. If there is still information that is unclear, feel free to email me at dr.rafaelle@gmail.com or you can set an appointment with us if you have specific questions regarding your personal case. We are located in the heart of Poblacion, Makati! Book an appointment now.
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