In the past several decades, examinations of American military recruits showed that our citizen’s teeth were in poor shape. Only a small percentage of people took good care of their teeth. Researchers could blame the individuals for not taking initiative to have good oral hygiene, but only so much. There were no guidelines for how often—or how old you should be to see a dentist. Many dentists in the past focused on fixing dental problems rather than preventing them.  Your dentist in Coatesville cares about your oral health. Dr. Mark Simeone can perform the routine checkups our Coatesville citizens need. He also provides each patient, no matter how young or old, with information on how to properly care for their teeth at home.

How often should I be visiting the dentist?

Originally, dental organizations decided that there was a need to set standards for preventive dentistry. It became a useful rule of thumb to visit the dentist semiannually. Of course, this can vary by each patient depending on their personal hygiene habits and medical conditions. Even if you take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home, it’s important to see your dentist regularly.

Believe it or not, many dental problems aren’t visible or cause pain until they are in their advanced stages. Dr. Simeone may be able to spot future health problems that you cannot feel just yet. And in fact, your overall health is directly correlated to your dental health. You may want to consider visiting your dentist more often than twice a year if you are at high risk for dental disease or have a low immune system. Some high-risk patients may be pregnant women, smokers, diabetics, or patients with current gum disease. Not only may you be at risk for dental diseases with these habits and conditions, but your overall health could possibly be affected, too.

What can I expect during my dental visit?

Routine dental checkups are much more relaxing than most people probably anticipate. During your visit, your dentist will complete a professional cleaning, full dental examination, and take a few x-rays to diagnose any problems that may not have been visible from the outside looking in.

A professional cleaning starts with removing plaque and tartar along and below the gum line. This is very important because it helps to prevent gum disease, tooth decay, cavities, bad breath, or more severe dental problems down the road. To complete the cleaning, Dr. Simeone will polish and floss your teeth, educating you on how to maintain your healthy teeth at home.

During the full dental examination, your dentist will perform a detailed inspection of your teeth, gums, tongue, and even the outside of your mouth and face. All of these are areas that could show signs of disease, whether dental or other health problems. Dentists have been known to detect other health issues that necessarily aren’t related directly to your oral health, just based off red flags given through your teeth, gums, and throat.

Finally, Dr. Simeone will take a few x-rays to diagnose problems that may otherwise go unnoticed. These issues may include damage to jawbones, impacted teeth, abscesses, or cysts and tumors. Once your x-rays are taken, they will stay in your file. This allows your dentist can track the progress of your oral health from start to finish.

Why are routine checkups so important?

Advanced gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss for American adults, and oral cancer causes more than 7,500 deaths each year. If noticed and treated early, these diseases can be controlled or eliminated altogether. By keeping an eye out for trouble every six months, we can often reduce your potential for large dental problems. You’ll never have to worry about asking yourself, “Where’s a dentist near me?!” if you feel like your dental health is getting out of control.  Be proactive. Practice good preventive care by scheduling a checkup with Chester County Dental Arts today!