This is a question that patients frequently ask, and the reasons why are evident. No one is exactly eager to get a dental checkup, but no one wants to lose any teeth either. For many years, the general consensus among dentists was that all adults should go in for cleanings and screenings twice a year. Now, the issue is being revisited, and the recommendations are being adjusted to suit the needs of the individual.

First, it’s important to remember that prevention reduces tooth loss, period. However, the frequency of your preventative care should be tailored to meet your needs. In short, patients with a high risk for tooth loss need more than two dental checkups per year. Adults without those risk factors are usually okay visiting their dentist just once every 12 months.

Nearly half of all adults over age 30 in the U.S. have a form of chronic inflammatory gum disease. This condition is considered a major risk factor for future tooth loss. Other factors that may place you in the high risk category include smoking, diabetes, and certain genetic factors. Studies have shown that patients in this high risk group are five percent more likely to have a tooth extracted when they get one yearly checkup versus two. For patients in this category, additional checkups throughout the year can decrease the chances of future tooth loss even more.

Low risk patients saw no difference in future tooth loss when they visited the dentist once a year or twice. This has led many dentists to recommend that patients without periodontal disease only come in for checkups once a year. If you are in this category, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

The next time you come in for a screening and tooth cleaning, make sure to ask Dr. Zabolian about the health of your gums and whether or not you are at an elevated risk of future tooth loss. Knowing what category you fall into can help you schedule your future appointments, especially if you need more frequent visits to keep your teeth healthy well into the future.

What exactly is a root canal? A surprising number of people don’t know the answer to this question. Perhaps this is because so many people loathe going to the dentist or fear going and hearing the dreaded sentence of a root canal and consequently, avoid talking about it. The sad truth is that root canals are common. The good news though is that they are easily fixed and the process doesn’t have to be like pulling teeth.

First, a bit of anatomy. Underneath your tooth enamel and the part underneath that (called the dentin) is your pulp. It’s every bit unpleasant as it sounds, but the pulp is what causes you to need a root canal to begin with. This soft tissue contains all sorts of blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerves designed to help your tooth’s roots grow during your developmental years. Typically, as the tooth ages and settles in for a lifetime of chomping, the pulp dissipates and leaves the tooth nourishing to the tissues around it. You can probably see where this is going.

Once the pulp inside of your tooth becomes inflamed, irritated, or infected bad things begin to happen. You can experience pain, discomfort, decay, cracks—just about anything you’d rather not have happen to your only chewing tools. Thus, it’s time for a root canal. During this process, all of the bad and icky pulp gets cleaned up, or disinfected. Afterwards, a rubber-like seal is placed on the tooth. Finally, a crown or filling is placed on top, like a well-fitted hardhat for your tooth. It’s really pretty simple and not nearly as scary as people seem to think.

The American Association of Endodontists says having a root canal should be no more painful, or burdensome than having a routine filling. After one or two appointments, your teeth should be back to chewing like they did in no time. To better ease your mind, be sure to work with a trusted dentist who specializes in restorative procedures, such as root canals.

Very few people actually enjoy going to the dentist. While it’s true that having a good dentist makes life easier, it’s even better still to do all you can to make your visits to the doctor sparse and painless. The most effective way to minimize your time in the dental chair is to stay on top of your basic preventative oral care measures.

Brushing

No matter how many time you’ve heard about the importance of brushing, you will hear constant reminders throughout your life. The reason brushing is talked about incessantly is because it’s incredibly important and yet somehow, Americans fail on this issue every day. Consider some sad statistics provided by Crest and the American Dental Association. One in five Americans brush their teeth less than twice a day. That’s less than the minimum recommended amount. 43% of Americans don’t know when it’s time to change their tooth brush, which means almost half of the population is using an ill-dated brush every day. Brushing is not something that should be a chore. Simply use a soft brush, clean at an angle, be sure to work the gums, and take your time. It’s not a race.

Flossing

Flossing is even worse than brushing for Americans. Only half of Americans floss their teeth once or more a day while 10% say that they never floss at all. Admittedly, flossing is a bit more time consuming and painful than brushing. However, it is crucial that you get into an oral hygiene routine and make flossing a part of it. Getting into this healthy habit removes plaque and unseen bits of food particles. It also helps keep your gums healthy. Start with 18 inches of floss tightly wound around your fingers. Next, curve the floss around your tooth and pull back and forth being sure to work the areas around the gums as well. When you’re ready to move on to the next tooth be sure to use a clean part of the floss. Also, floss comes in several varieties and is typically made of either nylon or PTFE. Nylon uses multiple threads and may shred when used. PTFE is more expensive, but its mono-thread design allows for tough resistance and strength. Either one works just fine. It’s mostly an issue of using whatever you’re comfortable with.

Why Oral Hygiene is Important

You might think that perhaps the most you have on the line in regards to oral hygiene is bad breath, or food in your teeth. The sad reality is that poor dental care can lead to a host of series issues. Gum disease, for example, can escalate into oral cancer, diabetes, or leukemia. In fact, it’s been shown that almost 90% of all systemic diseases have signs in your mouth.