Start the New Year with a Dental Check Up

The American Dental Association (ADA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend semi-annual dental checkups and cleanings for most adults and children. Dental checkups are one of the best ways to protect yourself and your children from common oral health problems like cavities and gum disease. 

For children, regular dental exams are especially important in order to monitor tooth development and diagnose any orthodontic problems as early as possible. At Oasis Pediatric Dental Care & Orthodontics our dentists, Dr. Nathalie Phaeton and Dr. Ki Youn Kil, offer pediatric dentistry services and adult orthodontics at our office in Falls Church, Virginia.

Begin the new year with healthy teeth and gums

If you haven’t been keeping up with the ADA and CDC guidelines, you’re not alone. The good news is that it’s never too late to invest in your family’s oral health. Whether you went to the dentist six months ago or have fallen behind on your oral healthcare, the start of a new year is the perfect time to get back on track. 

Practicing good oral hygiene is the first step in preventing cavities and gum disease, but a toothbrush and floss can only go so far. Regular dental checkups and cleanings allow our dentists to pick up where a toothbrush and floss leave off. 

Plaque and tartar that build up between teeth and gums can eventually lead to oral health issues, but you usually can’t see the buildup with the naked eye, and it can’t be removed with brushing and flossing alone. So even if your teeth and gums look and feel fine, there could still be problems that only your dentist can find.

In addition to checking on the health of your teeth and gums, regular dental checkups also screen for problems like oral cancer; general health problems that can affect your oral health or show up on your teeth and gums; and bite and alignment problems in both children and adults.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the health problems and conditions that may also have a link to your oral health include:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Pregnancy
• HIV/AIDS
• Bacterial infections of the respiratory system
• Osteoporosis 

Since many oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease are progressive, an early diagnosis is the best way to prevent or lower the risk of long-term — and potentially serious and expensive — damage to your teeth and gums over time. 

Think of dental checkups as part of your regular health and wellness routine, and start every new year off by paying a visit to the dentist.

For more information about scheduling your or your child’s next dental exam, call us today at 703-498-2440. You can also schedule an appointment online.