Why are check-ups so important?!

North Vancouver Dentists Meeting | Peak Dental Arts

What happens at a dental check-up and why are they so important?!

If I brush twice a day and I don’t feel any pain right now, then why do I have to go get a professional check-up and cleaning? What many people don’t realize is that a healthy mouth is a large part of keeping a healthy body. Our mouths are the gateway to the rest of our bodies, so our teeth and gums play a huge part in our overall health. Studies have shown that oral infections, especially gum disease, are closely linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, osteoporosis, and even certain cancers!

So, what happens at a dental check-up?

  1. The check-up: A dentist will inspect all of your oral tissues for any abnormalities. This means not just your teeth and gums, but also the other areas of your mouth (like your tongue, your tonsils, and your cheeks). At Peak Dental we also use VELscope, an oral cancer screening tool, on our patients annually. The dentist will also inspect for cavities, and plaque or tartar. X-rays may be used periodically to inspect the areas between the teeth and to make sure your bone and surrounding structures look healthy.
  1. Hygiene: Brushing and flossing at home can help prevent the build-up of plaque and calculus on your teeth. And no, we’re not talking about mathematics here! Calculus is hardened plaque, and once it is stuck on the teeth it has to be removed by a dental professional! A really common place to find calculus is the inside of your lower front teeth, especially if you have a permanent retainer. Special tools will be used during the cleaning procedure to remove plaque and tartar. The ultrasonic scaler uses an elliptical motion and water to more effectively and efficiently remove tartar build-up. Fine hand-scaling instruments may be used after. A fluoride-based paste will be used to polish your teeth, and then thorough flossing will complete your professional cleaning!

Some other benefits of regularly seeing a North Vancouver dentist are preventing cavities from forming, avoiding tooth loss (you don’t need cavities to lose teeth – unhealthy gums can cause early tooth loss) brightening your smile, freshening your breath and improving your overall health. Regular check-ups even save money because you the dentist are able to identify certain situations early, to avoid having to complete costlier and more invasive dental work!!

So, what are you waiting for? Give us a call at Peak Dental Arts, and let us help you make the best decision for a healthy future!