You take pretty good care of your teeth — brushing and flossing daily. You don’t really have any major dental issues. Is it really necessary for you to schedule dental checkups unless there is a problem? Oral health professionals point out that there are numerous reasons to keep those checkups on your calendar, even if you take good care of your teeth. “Just because it has been a while since you’ve had a cavity or a dental health issue, don’t give up on those visits to the dentist,” said Michel Couret, DDS, vice president of Professional Relations at Northeast Delta Dental. “Dental checkups continue to be an important part of taking care of teeth, preventing problems and providing people with greater knowledge about their oral health.” Dental health professionals will suggest the frequency that is appropriate for you. Some people don’t need to be seen twice each year, while others need to be seen more often. Preventive checkups provide dentists with opportunities to identify and intervene early in the dental disease process. This can reduce pain and the financial costs associated with severe forms of dental disease. For example, periodontal disease that goes unnoticed for lack of a checkup can progress into more serious stages, possibly resulting in pain, tooth loss and other problems. If caught early, periodontal disease is easier to manage; and, in some cases, is reversible, resulting in healthy teeth and gums. Dental professionals can also use dental checkups to screen for oral cancers and other health issues that can be difficult to spot on your THE DENTAL CHECKUP Your Prevention Connection 24
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