Do I really need to visit the dentist?

It's a common misconception that you only need to visit the dentist if you have a problem. Many people view dental appointments similar to their GP appointment, only visiting when they have a particular problem or health concern. However, the majority of a dentist’s work is preventive, preventing not only holes in your teeth but also a hole in your wallet!

So let's look at this in more detail, do you really need to visit the dentist?

What should happen when you visit the dentist?

There are a range of preventive measures that your dentist will take each time you visit them:

• checking the muscles of your head face and neck
• checking for signs of oral cancer
• checking the condition of your gums
• checking the condition of your teeth
• looking for the early warning signs of dental decay
• looking for warning signs of other diseases and health conditions

why does a dentist check the muscles of your head face and neck?

The muscles of your head face and neck are all connected. Headaches can often be a side-effect of poor dental health. If your teeth don't meet properly then this can affect the way your jaw joint works, because the muscles around your jaw are linked to the muscles in your head this can result in headaches.

Interestingly, it has been shown that with children suck their thumb they usually suck their thumb on one hand in particular. As they do this, the head often tilts to that side, as the head tilts to that side it puts pressure on the muscles of the neck on that side of the body. This can then translate into an uneven gait and even affect the muscles all the way down the side of the body as the child leans themselves in that direction. All of these things will be looked at in detail when you visit the dentist, this just shows the extent to which your teeth are connected to the rest of your body, amazing!

what does the dentist look for when they look for oral cancer?

Your dentist will check the inside of your cheeks, as well as under your tongue, on your tongue and the back of your mouth they will also palpate the glands underneath your lower jaw. Oral cancer is one of the most treatable cancers if caught early, having these simple yet effective early warning tests for oral cancer can mean the difference between life or death in some cases.

How does the dentist check the condition of your gums?

The dentist will be looking for signs of redness, swelling and or bleeding. The gums should not bleed in normal circumstances and if they do this can be an early sign of gum disease (gingivitis). Your dentist will also check how far down the gums (soft tissue) are attached to your teeth. Soft tissue attachment is important to prevent bacteria getting down underneath the gums next to the teeth. If the soft tissue is not attached this is what is known as a pocket, large pockets can fill with debris and collect bacteria becoming infected. This can then lead to severe gingivitis and/or periodontitis which is a severe condition which can result in tooth loss.

Can I spot dental decay by myself?

The simple answer is yes, however you will only spot dental decay yourself when it is at a very late stage of development. Your dentist will often use high-powered light and magnification along with a probe to check in the deep valleys, known as fissures, in your teeth. These valleys are usually where decay happens.

Your dentist will also check in between your teeth, this is an often difficult to reach area when cleaning and can also harbour bacteria which can lead to tooth decay.

The early warning signs of tooth decay are simply a tiny little spot which is often soft when a dentist probes it with an instrument. This softening of the outer layer of the tooth (enamel) can be an indicator of decay. These areas are extremely small and you will not spot them at home until they are much larger, if this is allowed to happen then the decay is at a more advanced stage and will be more difficult, painful and certainly costly to resolve.

What else can a dentist help with

the primary concern of any dentist is to ensure you stay fit and healthy. After this the dentist will typically look at:

1. replacing missing teeth.
2. Straightening crooked teeth.
3. Whitening dark teeth.
4. Rebuilding broken down or ugly teeth.

There are a range of ways that a dentist can do this and if you're looking for a new dentist there we found a great article which talks about interesting things to ask your dentist.

Summary.

So you see, visiting the dentist helps keep you fit and healthy overall, maintain a good oral health care greatly regime and keep your costs down… And we all want that!

Freely sharing dentistry information for patients The information provided in any answer is generic and does not take into account the physical state, medical status and/or health requirements of any particular individual, which are relevant.