WHY REGULAR DENTAL VISITS ARE NECESSARY!
Everyone would have heard till their ears bleed that “Prevention is better than cure”. It is true that the line is ancient and boring but it is the wisest advice anyone can provide for your health and wealth.
Prevention of extensive treatments by detection of diseases during their earlier stages so that timely and conservative management can be done instead of extensive and destructive procedures. Some examples include detection of tartar and stains which can be managed by simple scaling and polishing procedures rather than having extensive procedures such as flap surgery or removal of loose teeth due to pyorrhea and bone loss resulting in loss of teeth and expensive treatments for their replacement. Also, early detection of cavities in the shallower surfaces of the teeth such as enamel and dentin which can be managed by simple fillings rather than having these cavities reach your deeper surfaces such as pulp and periapical regions resulting in excruciating pain and infection and later having to be managed by extensive, time consuming and expensive procedure such as Root Canal Treatment, cap or Extraction and replacement of the teeth. The more you neglect these diseases.. the more the cost of your future treatments will increase.
In pediatric patients, the most common complaint from the parents is excessive intake of chocolates and sweets. These habits can develop cavities in a very short period and kids teeth being more prone to deep cavities.. it is better to seal their deep pits and fissures by sealants and prevent cavities. Also, preventive treatments such as fluoride application can help in remineralization of tooth structure and prevention of cavities. Also, detection of habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting etc.. can be done and simple habit breaking appliances can prevent future major malalignments. Early detection of malalignments can help in correcting them in appropriates growth stages and reduces chances of relapse.
In adults regular dental visits help in detecting undue habits such as smoking, tobacco chewing etc.. for which proper counselling and habit breaking measures can be taken before they become an addiction. Early detection of Oral cancers due to these habits in their precancerous stages can be done and excised from their roots to prevent extensive stages of cancer and destructive treatments later on.
Other habits such as clenching and bruxism which are not in our control causes stress lesions and attrition of teeth damaging the protective layers of teeth resulting in sensitivity and fracture of teeth. To detect and prevent these damages to teeth, a simple nightguard can help in protecting the remaining tooth structure.
In patients who have undergone extensive treatments such as flap surgery, full mouth rehabilitation, implants etc.. need to have regular dental visits for proper maintenance of the results of the same. God gives you 2 sets of teeth and a dentist gives you the third set which is to be maintained and taken care of with regular checkup and maintenance procedures to increase their longevity.
