Most people don’t look forward to their six-month trip to the dentist Newport Beach, but it’s something that they understand is for their own good. They can get checked for any problems, get their teeth cleaned, and they can get any cavities filled or other work that needs doing. There are more reasons than that to go to the dentist, though, and here are some that might not usually cross your mind.
Your Dentist Can Check For Oral Cancer
Any cancer is dangerous, but oral cancer can be a particularly horrific disease. Catching it in the early stages is the best way to combat it, and your Newport Beach dentist has been trained in how to detect it. You might not necessarily recognize the oral abnormalities that indicate cancer, but the dentist will. Cancer exams are pain-free, non-invasive, and they only take a couple of minutes.
Minimizing Bad Habits
A Newport Beach dentist can also point out to you bad habits that can hurt your oral health. Everyone knows that smoking is dangerous, but there are plenty of other things that cause problems too. A dentist can remind you to minimize the drinking of red wine, as it can stain your teeth. Drinking too much coffee can have a similar effect. Eating ice is bad for your teeth, as is eating hard or sticky candy. Biting your nails, clenching your jaw, and grinding your teeth are all harmful. A dentist should be able to identify which of these behaviors is causing you problems, and you can take steps to stop doing it going forward.
Finding Problems Beneath the Surface
There also could be problems happening beneath the surface of your gums, which is why it is essential for your Newport Beach dentist to take an X-ray of your jaws periodically. Your teeth might become impacted, as often happens with wisdom teeth. If there is damage to the jawbone or if there are cysts or tumors developing, the X-ray will detect those as well. The earlier these issues are discovered, the more likely it is that they can be treated in a way that is minimally invasive.
Your Newport Beach dentist sincerely cares about the health of your teeth and gums and wants your smile to stay bright and happy. That can only happen if you see them every six months and take care of your teeth by flossing, brushing, and using mouthwash in the interim.