{"id":219,"date":"2019-11-22T19:52:00","date_gmt":"2019-11-22T19:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifetime.dental\/blog\/?p=219"},"modified":"2019-12-31T19:52:49","modified_gmt":"2019-12-31T19:52:49","slug":"why-you-should-visit-your-dentist-every-six-months","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifetime.dental\/blog\/2019\/11\/22\/why-you-should-visit-your-dentist-every-six-months\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"a<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How long has it been since you have visited the dentist? Did\nyou know that you should be seeing your dentist twice a year? The vast majority\nof Americans don\u2019t even see their dentist once a year, and this can result in\nall kinds of oral health problems, like gum disease and tooth decay. To keep\nissues like these at bay, it\u2019s important to regularly attend a dental cleaning<\/a> in\nAgawam. Keep reading to learn even more reasons why. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Happens at Your First Visit? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During a new patient visit, your dentist will thoroughly\nexamine your teeth, gums, and previous dental work for any problems. They will\nalso take digital x-rays of your mouth to look for issues that can\u2019t be seen\nwith the naked eye, such as cavities in between the teeth. Finally, your\ndentist will examine your bite alignment and any soft tissues in and around\nyour mouth to check for signs of oral cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the exam, your dentist will hand you off to a dental\nhygienist. They will give your teeth a complete cleaning with tools much more adept\nthan your toothbrush and floss at home. These tools are especially effective at\nremoving plaque and tartar, which harbor bacteria that can result in cavities\nand tooth decay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why You Should Attend Regular Checkups <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many reasons why it\u2019s important to see your\ndentist every six months, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Screening for Oral Cancer <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Oral cancer is the sixth most common form of cancer worldwide,\nand your dentist is especially trained to recognize the signs of it. It often\ndoesn\u2019t present any symptoms until it\u2019s too late and the disease has become\nfatal. If your dentist detects it soon enough at your appointment, it can\nusually be treated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Removing Plaque and Tartar <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Plaque is a sticky film of oral bacteria that forms on your\nteeth every day. Following an at-home oral hygiene regimen can get rid of it,\nbut neglecting to brush and floss can cause plaque to build up and harden into\ntartar. Bacteria in plaque and tartar can cause cavities and gum disease, which\nis why it\u2019s crucial to see your dentist so they can remove it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Detecting Tooth Decay <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Much like oral cancer, cavities usually don\u2019t display any\nproblems until they have seriously progressed. At this point, they might\nrequire more than a filling to treat. They might need a root canal or even a\ntooth extraction. Save yourself from these costly and extensive procedures by\nvisiting your dentist regularly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treating Gum Disease <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gum disease is a bacterial infection in the gum tissue, typically\ncaused by accumulation of plaque and tartar. Common symptoms include red,\nswollen, tender, or bleeding gums, as well as chronic bad breath. If this\ndisease progresses, the gum tissue may pull away from the teeth and your teeth\nmight even fall out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeing your dentist every six months for a checkup might not\nbe your favorite activity in the world, but it\u2019s massively important in keeping\nyour teeth and gums healthy.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr.\nFrank Michitti<\/a> has earned a Mastership with the Academy of General Dentistry\nby completing more than 1,100 hours of post-graduate education courses and\npassing an exam equal in difficulty to board certification exams. He has also\ntaken courses from the prestigious Dawson Academy in Florida. Currently, he practices\nat Lifetime Dental in Feeding Hills, MA. To schedule your next dental checkup\nand cleaning, click here\nto contact Dr. Michitti\u2019s office.<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How long has it been since you have visited the dentist? Did you know that you should be seeing your dentist twice a year? The vast majority of Americans don\u2019t even see their dentist once a year, and this can result in all kinds of oral health problems, like gum disease and tooth decay. To […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nDental Cleaning in Agawam | Prevent Gum Disease | Dr. Frank Michitti<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Do you want healthy teeth and gums for life? 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