The truth is that not everyone needs to see their dentist every six months. Many people need to come more often than this, and a few may only need to come to the office once a year. Dr. Timmerman will let you know what’s the right time for you to come in.
There are several reasons why you should make your regular dental checkups about every six months.
Cleanings to Improve Oral Health
Your visit with the dental hygienist, although not everyone’s favorite part of their visit, is one of the most important reasons to visit your dentist regularly. Even with careful brushing and flossing, some small amount of bacterial plaque can get left behind. This initially soft plaque mineralizes and hardens into tartar, like fossil bacteria in your mouth.
Not only can this be unattractive and uncomfortable, it can irritate your gums and provide shelter for bacteria. Safe from saliva and your toothbrush and dental floss, bacterial colonies can thrive under tartar deposits. You can’t really remove these on your own, but your hygienist can, giving you a clean start and a level playing field against bacteria.
Besides this, regular cleanings can help keep your teeth shiny and attractive.
Course Correction
Another benefit of seeing your dentist is that these tartar buildups are a compilation of your your worst hits when it comes to brushing. They tell your dentist exactly where you’re not getting when you brush and floss. Your dentist can then tell you about them and teach you strategies for improving your oral hygiene at home which can lead to even better oral health.
Early Detection
Dental conditions are progressive in nature. They’re preventable, so hopefully if you’re making your regular visits, you won’t have any problems with your teeth and gums, but if you do have problems, it’s best to detect them early. When detected early, tooth decay can be treated with a small filling. A little bit later this may require a larger filling. This can happen without you noticing. By the time pain starts for many people, the tooth may have a deep cavity, and if you wait until the pain seems serious, you’re probably looking at a root canal.
Given the choice between a root canal and being told to brush a little differently, which would you choose?
A Personal Relationship
Many people complain about how alienated we are becoming from our doctors and other healthcare providers. Unfortunately, many of us play a role in that by only going to the doctor when we feel we have a problem.
Making your regular dental visits gives you an excellent opportunity to establish a more traditional, friendly relationship with Dr. Timmerman. He will get to know you, and you will get to know him. This can actually help improve your quality of care, because Dr. Timmerman will be able to make more personalized recommendations and follow-ups. He will know not just your chart–he will know you. And that in itself is reason enough to make your regular dental visits.
If you’re overdue for a dental visit, please call (206) 241-5533 for an appointment at Dr. Timmerman’s office in Tukwila, just outside Seattle.
