Your smile is one of the first things people notice when they look at you. When you aren't proud of your smile, your quality of life suffers. In addition, problems with your teeth can also lead to trouble eating, pain, infection, and other issues. With regular dental check-ups, you can avoid these issues and preserve the health of your teeth. 

What happens during a check-up?

During a dental check-up, the dentist examines your teeth, gums, and other parts of your mouth to look for problems. The dentist may use tools to look for cavities on your teeth. He or she may also take X-rays to look for hidden cavities or structural problems. Most check-ups include an oral cancer screening and examination of your gums as well. 

In many cases, check-ups take place at the same time as a cleaning. However, some dentists may schedule separate appointments for cleanings and check-ups. 

Benefits of regular check-ups 

Having regular dental check-ups is recommended for a number of reasons. Some of the benefits of regular check-ups include: 

• Catching cavities early. Having regular check-ups ensures that your dentist will be aware of any cavities you have as early as possible. The dentist will fill your cavities before they worsen. 
• Diagnosing structural issues. Regular dental check-ups diagnose structural problems before they become more serious so you can deal with them. For example, if your dentist discovers impacted wisdom teeth during your check-up, you can have them removed before they do serious damage. 
• Peace of mind. Having regular dental check-ups gives you peace of mind about your dental health. You can rest easy knowing that any issues have been detected and handled appropriately. 
• Prevention of serious problems. In many cases, dental check-ups discover problems that could get much worse if ignored. For example, a small cavity could eventually destroy your tooth. Discovering it while it is still small gives you the chance to fill it before you need a root canal or extraction. 

How often are check-ups recommended?

For most people, dental check-ups should be scheduled once every six months. Cleanings should be scheduled at the same intervals. However, if you have serious dental concerns, or if you haven’t had a cleaning in a long while, you may need more frequent appointments. You should also schedule an appointment any time you have a problem with your teeth, such as pain. 

If it is time for your dental check-up, please contact Eagle River Dental today to make an appointment. You can also request an appointment online.