Never underestimate the value of routine dental checkups in West Hills Los Angeles, CA
Dr. Roya Shoffet offers a full range of restorative dental treatments at Royal Dental Practice in West Hills Los Angeles, CA. However, she hopes that you never need them. Avoiding a problem is even better than correcting it. That is why preventive care is the cornerstone of excellent oral health, and routine dental checkups are among the essential services that we offer.
What is a comprehensive dental exam?
It is a vital diagnostic procedure, which gives your dentist a wealth of information about your oral health. The goal is to detect signs of oral disease early, monitor the progress of pre-existing oral health disease, and gather the information that your dentist can use to customize your overall care plan.
During the exam, your dentist will check for:
- Excess plaque buildup, which may indicate that you need to alter home hygiene habits.
- Gum recession, tissue inflammation, and signs of periodontal disease.
- Chips, cracks, or other damage to your teeth.
- Wear and tear on teeth, which can be a sign of bruxism.
- Symptoms of oral cancer, which is a potentially deadly disease if not treated early.
- Shifting of teeth, misalignment, and bite problems.
Why are dental checkups important?
The answer is simple: because your oral health is important. Dental problems will not go away if you ignore them. In fact, they generally will not even stay status quo. They will only get worse until they are treated. However, you might not be intentionally ignoring a problem. For example, tiny cavities, minor fractures, and early gum disease are likely to go unnoticed until they progress enough that you are in pain. Your dentist can detect and correct them early, helping you avoid costly, painful, severe problems in the future.
How frequently should you get a dental checkup?
It always depends on an individual’s age and their oral hygiene habits. According to most periodontists, dental checkup and cleaning is recommended ideally every 3 months for adult patients, and the reason for that is scientifically is proven; dental plaque is formed within 90 days. That is frequent enough to monitor changes in your oral health and diagnose a new problem early. However, some young patients may need less frequent visits. If you have recently had a major procedure, we may recommend a follow-up appointment. Additionally, people with periodontal disease often need an accelerated schedule of checkups and cleanings to help combat the infection.
If you have any oral health problems or it has been a while since your last checkup, please give us a call. You can contact Royal Dental Practice at (818) 334-6655 to schedule an office visit or a mobile checkup.
