Throughout the years in my career within the dental profession, I have found tooth related conversation is often sparked with both my friends and the new people I meet.
It always amazes me to hear their stories, from problems with teeth to unhappiness with their smiles. Some are regular attendees who know how important it is to visit the dentist regularly. Others feel dental appointments are not on their list of priorities, they skip their appointments or avoid going altogether, this is what I find most amazing.
Their reasons may be one of many including cost, fear, or just thinking that it is pointless. We have all heard the recent headlines about access to NHS dentistry being problematic, some people can’t afford to pay to see a dentist privately; others are being made to wait months to see their dentist.
At Christchurch, we will always try to book our clients on the same day or very soon afterwards if they are in pain. We encourage our clients to book their examinations and hygiene visits 6 months ahead of time to ensure they get an appointment at a day or time to suit them.
The truth is, visiting the dentist regularly gives you peace of mind. We can’t see or reach every area of our own mouths and so, for this reason, it is important that we have regular comprehensive examinations with a dentist.
Most people are unaware that dentists also check for oral cancer. If you are unaware of the signs and symptoms of how oral cancer can present itself, it can be difficult to identify any issues yourself. At Christchurch, we carry out a cancer check at every examination. You often must wonder why we ask you to stick your tongue out, move it to the roof of your mouth and side to side and why we feel around your neck and jaw. This is all part of our cancer screening. Visiting the dentist regularly enables us to detect any possible cancers early and allows any changes to be monitored.
There is often the ‘I brush my teeth and nothing hurts’ perception when it comes to visiting the dentist. Visiting the dentist regularly can help stop plaque from building up. Plaque is damaging to the gums, it causes them to become inflamed and often bleed. This is called Gingivitis. Gingivitis is reversible and can be treated by regular visits to a hygienist, and following the oral health advice, they give you at home. If left untreated, Gingivitis can lead to Periodontal Disease; which is irreversible. This is the largest cause of tooth loss in adults and whilst it cannot be cured, it can be prevented from progressing through regular visits to your dentist and hygienist.
Regular X-rays should be taken by your dentist, in order to assess what is happening below the surface of the gums and between the teeth. Early detection of tooth decay and bone loss means that the disease is easier to treat before it becomes a larger (and more costly) problem.
If it’s been a while since you have been seen by a dentist, the best advice I can give is to get in contact with one of our lovely receptionists and get booked in, so that we can help you to keep your mouth healthy.
