You might think you don't need a dental checkup if you don't have any painful cavities or other overt tooth issues. However, according to WebMD, the experts recommend scheduling preventive dental visits twice a year to maintain your oral health. When was the last time you had a dental cleaning? Here are four reasons why you should consider seeing your dentist at least twice a year.

1. Detect Problems Early

Gum tissue erosion leads to gum disease. Cavities and periodontal (gum) disease might go undetected since you initially won't feel any pain. This results in an infection of the area where the tooth meets the gum. In addition to affecting gum tissue, the illness has the potential to erode the bone that holds the teeth in place. Fortunately, these problems can be avoided because they're easy for your dentist to detect when you get routine cleanings.

2. Eliminate Plaque Buildup

Even if you regularly brush and floss, nothing can match a dental hygienist's thorough cleaning. Your dentist removes the plaque and tartar that have built up on your teeth using specialized tools and equipment. Plaque can cause several issues such as tooth decay, bad breath, and potentially tooth loss. You can also include a whitening session to help lighten and brighten your smile and remove plaque and stains.

3. Avoid Expensive Treatments

Dental restorations like fillings, root canals, tooth extractions, crowns, and implants are not cheap. You can reduce the chance that you'll need serious treatment by routinely seeing the dentist for cleanings. They'll examine your teeth and give you advice on the best practices for maintaining your oral health.

4. Screen for Oral Cancer

Smoking, binge drinking, a poor diet, and advanced age are some of the risk factors for oral cancer. Oral cancer is detectable in its early stages before it becomes life-threatening. The process is painless if you think you have an oral tumor. Your doctor will use a laser to identify the tissue damage caused by tumors. The doctor will then collect a sample from the patient in the office and send it to the lab to check for potential malignancy. Regular dental appointments can include oral cancer screening.

You can prevent many dental problems by scheduling routine dental checkups to get your teeth looked at. Getting a checkup twice a year can help your dentist spot problems earlier so you can treat them before they turn into serious health issues. Call us today at Hup Family Dentistry to schedule a dental appointment or teeth whitening.