We talk all the time about the importance of committing fully to a robust oral health routine and lifestyle—twice daily brushing, flossing, antibacterial mouthwash, a healthy diet, and avoiding tobacco. This is true regardless of age.
As vital as a strong at-home oral hygiene is, regular trips to the dentist for professional cleanings and oral exams are foundational to long-term dental health. Unfortunately, hectic schedules, dental anxiety, and plain old procrastination can derail us from attending routine (two per year) dental appointments. Here’s a closer look at why overcoming these obstacles so vital.
Why Are Regular Dental Checkups Important?
Beyond regular brushing and flossing to remove bacteria and food particles from between your teeth, regular cleanings and checkups are the most important preventive step you can take for your oral health. Regular checkups allow your dentist to monitor the health of your teeth and gums, diagnose issues early on, and provide preemptive care to spare you the pain, expense, and time commitment of more extensive treatments in the future.
Regular dental visits and checkups also allow your dentist to become familiar with you, your dental care habits, needs, and healthy history. This allows them to provide you with a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
The Importance of Regular Checkups for Children?
Children develop habits from their parents, including oral hygiene. For reasons beyond our own dental health, it's important to avoid negative tendencies like skipping routine dental checkups.
Taking your kids to the dentist regularly is crucial to ensuring they grow up with strong, well-aligned teeth and healthy gums. As importantly, these visits help kids develop a familiar and comfortable relationship with their professional dental care professionals. Knowing your dental team from a young age, and in a friendly and caring environment, is key to a committed routine.
In short, taking your kids for dental checkups from an early age is foundational for a lifelong commitment to healthy smiles!
A Caring and Comforting Family Dentist in Madison, AL
If you’re in the Madison, AL area and looking for a friendly and knowledgeable dental care team to ensure that everyone in your family receives top-quality care with an empathetic and human touch, contact dentist Dr. Andrew Henninger and the caring and friendly West Madison dental team to schedule an appointment!