Prevention is better than cure. This adage also applies to dental care. The benefits of routine preventative dental checkups are undeniable. Yet, some people disregard dental visits as they grow older. According to the CDC, 8 out of 10 kids versus 6 out of 10 adults visit the dentist every year. To protect your oral health and smile, visit your dentist regularly for dental recall exams.
What is a recall exam dental?
Dental recall exams provide extensive insights into your oral health. During a routine recall exam, your dentist will check your gums and teeth. Innovative clinics like Toronto Smile Design - Yorkville Dental use advanced digital radiography solutions, including intraoral scanners and the latest types of x-rays with lowest possible radiation dose. With a panoramic dental x-ray, your dentist can capture the entire mouth in one image for easy evaluation and detection of dental problems. In addition, your dentist can use bitewing x-rays to check for dental decay and signs of gum disease such as bone loss. Yearly cancer screening with special instruments like Velscope is also crucial to protect oral and overall health. These ongoing dental exams can help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
How often do you need to go to the dentist?
According to the ADA, people should go to the dentist every six months. But this recommendation applies to most people, not everyone. Most dentists schedule recall exams based on the patient's oral hygiene and health, habits, and medical history. For example, pregnant women, smokers, people with diabetes, and patients with gum disease may need to visit the dentist more often. If you have impeccable oral health and maintain good oral hygiene, your dentist can cut back your dental appointments to once a year. However, most people need twice-a-year dental checkups.
Why are regular visits to the dentist so important?
Visiting your dentist is the most effective way to protect your oral health. Remember, prevention is always better the cure. Toronto Smile Design uses Dentsply Sirona Primescan and dental x-rays for checkups. With this intraoral scanner, your dentist can identify any change in your previous intraoral scans. Your dentist and oral hygenist will also clean your teeth and give you oral hygiene instructions. You should keep in mind that teeth cleaning is a cost-effective strategy to protect your oral health.
Do I really need to have my teeth cleaned every six months?
Yes, you do! Flossing and brushing your teeth daily only removes loose food debris and surface stains. Sticky food particles can accumulate around the gum line and between your teeth. It can lead to plaque and tartar buildup. A brush and dental floss cannot remove this unsightly calcified layer. Plaque and tartar buildup reaches unhealthy limits after around six months. At this stage, you'll need professional teeth cleaning. Your dentist and dental hygenist can use targeted procedures like scaling and root planning to remove plaque and tartar. Teeth cleaning twice a year can reduce the risk of bad breath, gum disease, and can help detecting tooth decay in its early stage.
How long does a teeth cleaning take?
Professional teeth cleaning takes around 30 minutes. But the extent of plaque and tartar buildup can increase the duration to 45-60 minutes. If you visit the dentist regularly and maintain good oral hygiene, your teeth cleaning can last for only 15 minutes.
Can you go to the dentist more than twice a year?
Yes, you can! If you're prone to cavities, your dentist can schedule recall exams and teeth cleaning every three months to mitigate risks. Patients with gum disease, smokers, diabetics, and pregnant women also need more frequent dental exams. Experienced clinics like Toronto Smile Design - Yorkville Dental customize oral care routines and dental checkup schedules to patients' dental needs. Your medical history will determine whether you should visit the dentist twice a year or every three months.
What happens if you don't go to the dentist for three years?
Progressive dental problems like gum disease and cavities worsen over time. For example, teeth cavities are invisible to the naked eye in the early stages. But they progress and expand, leading to extensive tooth damage. Food debris can also accumulate on your teeth and calcify into plaque and tartar. It increases the risk of gingivitis and gum disease. If you don't visit the dentist for three years, you'll have multiple dental issues in advanced stages. Treating gum disease is not cheap. You may also need root canal treatments, CEREC crowns to restore badly damaged teeth. To avoid these costs, maintain good oral hygiene and visit your dentist twice a year for dental exams and teeth cleaning.
How much does a dentist visit cost?
Dentist visit cost varies depending on oral care procedures performed during the appointment. On average, dental exams in Toronto cost $100-$350. But this price tag doesn't include dental x-rays and teeth cleaning. You can expect to pay more if your recall exam requires advanced panoramic dental x-rays and intraoral scanners. Teeth cleaning costs around $250-$400. The good news is that most dental insurance plans cover annual preventative visits.
Why Toronto Smile Design - Yorkville Dental for Recall Exams?
Toronto Smile Design’s Dr. Johnson Ozgur is a Toronto Dentist with a Master's Degree in Oral Surgery. He has years of experience in General and Cosmetic Dentistry, experienced in treatments like teeth cleaning, dental implants, porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, and more. For regular recall exams, contact us today!
