Let’s be honest, few people would say that going to the dentist is something they look forward to. Personally, I also admit that getting my teeth checked and cleaned every 6 months is not an enjoyable experience. But, being a dentist professionally means that I know how important it is to make sure I do. Besides, I don’t think I would be a good dentist if I am encouraging my patients to return in 6 months’ time but not doing so myself! Here’s why it’s so important…
The reality is that many people make excuses to avoid returning to their dentist because they trick themselves into thinking that if nothing hurts then everything is okay. The unfortunate reality is that only 4 out of 10 Australian adults visit the dentist twice a year but more than 90% of adults have experienced tooth decay at some stage of their life (Oral Health Monitoring Group, 2015). Believe it or not, oral diseases are among the most common and costly health problems experienced by Australians.
Another common reason why many delay their dental visit is because many are ashamed to make an appointment after putting it off for a long time and are embarrassed by their teeth. The ironic thing is that the dentist is probably the best person to see to help you smile confidently again.
Smiling with confidence is simply priceless.
Good oral health is connected to your overall health, wellbeing and quality of life (Oral Health Monitoring Group, 2015). A healthy mouth means that you can eat, speak and socialise without pain, discomfort and self-consciousness. And we have been so fortunate to be able to share smiles and laughter with friends and family face to face once again. The year 2020 has made us realise how much we take for granted and I strongly encourage that we do not take our oral health for granted any longer.
Let me share with you three reasons why adding your 6 month dental visit to your calendar is important.
- Prevention is better than cure! Finding dental issues early means less invasive (and less expensive) treatments compared to coming into the clinic in severe pain. Toothaches and dental pain occur at later stages of tooth decay and gum disease and if severe, it unfortunately becomes too late to be treated easily.
- Delaying will only make it worse! If you hate the feeling or the sensitivity during a dental clean, delaying your next clean means that you are more likely to have an uncomfortable experience in the future.
- Get your questions answered by a professional! Knowledge is at the tip of our fingertips with a quick Google search. However, if you’ve ever wondered if you should get an electric toothbrush or when you should bring your kids in to the dentist, then the dentist is the most reliable source of information so never shy away from asking your dental related questions.
The scary thing is that time flies so quickly and we all live busy lives, so visiting the dentist is usually not a priority on our to-do lists. But prevention is a far better option than being reactive when it comes to our oral health. In my opinion, it is never too late to visit the dentist and when you do take a seat in the dental chair, you should be proud that you’ve taken the first step to take control of your oral health.