Three reasons for checkups stand out: gum recession, hidden decay and oral cancer can all develop quietly before you feel a thing. Regular exams catch them early. Here is why it pays to keep your dental health appointments in Shrewsbury, PA.
Some weeks there just are not enough hours in the day, and a dental checkup is easy to postpone. We understand. But at Southern York Smile Care, we encourage you to think twice before you cancel. Your teeth and gums may feel fine, and that can be misleading. Many dental problems progress without any warning in their early stages, when they are easiest and least expensive to treat.
Reason 1: Your gums may be receding
Gum recession rarely happens all at once. The gum tissue can pull back so slowly that you do not notice until a tooth looks longer, feels sensitive or develops a notch near the gumline. By then, the root surface may be exposed and the bone underneath may be at risk.
Common causes include:
- Gum disease, which slowly destroys the tissue and bone that hold teeth in place.
- Brushing too hard or with a firm-bristled brush.
- Grinding and clenching.
- Tobacco use.
- Crowded or misaligned teeth.
At a checkup, the gums are measured around each tooth to track any change. Catching recession and gum disease early often means simpler treatment. Our gum disease treatments page explains the options, and you may have gingivitis covers the early warning signs.
Signs of gum trouble to watch for
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss.
- Red, puffy or tender gums.
- Teeth that look longer than they used to.
- New sensitivity near the gumline, especially to cold.
- Bad breath that does not go away.
- Teeth that feel loose or a bite that feels different.
Any of these is a reason to call rather than wait for your next routine visit.
Reason 2: Decay may be lurking
Cavities often do not hurt until they are large. When plaque acids start working on a tooth, you usually feel nothing while the decay is in the enamel. Pain tends to start once it reaches the softer dentin or the nerve inside. By then, a simple filling may no longer be enough, and the tooth may need a crown or root canal.
Checkups find decay while it is small. Southern York Smile Care uses DIAGNOdent laser cavity detection and digital X-rays with up to 90% less radiation than older film to spot cavities early, including between teeth where you cannot see them. An intraoral camera lets you see the same images the dentist sees.
Regular cleanings also remove the plaque and hardened tartar that cause decay in the first place. Every cleaning at Southern York Smile Care is a full 60 minutes, which leaves time to clean thoroughly and talk about your home care. Learn more on our dental cleanings page, and read plaque, calculus and cavities for how decay starts.
Old fillings need checking too
Fillings and crowns do not last forever. Over the years, edges can wear, chip or pull away slightly from the tooth, leaving a gap where new decay can start underneath. You will rarely feel this happening. Checkups let the dentist examine the margins of older dental work and repair or replace a restoration before decay spreads into the tooth. If you have older silver fillings, this is also a good time to ask about tooth-colored, BPA-free white fillings.
Reason 3: Screening for oral cancer
Tens of thousands of people in the United States are diagnosed with mouth and throat cancer each year. As with other cancers, finding it early makes a real difference. Early oral cancer is often painless and can look like a small white or red patch or a sore that does not heal, so it is easy to miss on your own.
An oral cancer screening is part of your checkup at Southern York Smile Care. The exam includes a careful look and feel of your lips, tongue, cheeks, throat and neck. The practice also uses ViziLite, a blue dye rinse and OralCDX to help identify areas that need a closer look. Our oral cancer screening page explains each step, and what you need to know about oral cancer covers risk factors.
Risk factors to mention
Let your dentist know if you use tobacco in any form, drink alcohol regularly, have had a lot of sun exposure on your lips, or have a history of HPV. These are known risk factors, and they make regular screenings even more important.
How often should you have a checkup?
For many people, a checkup and cleaning twice a year works well. Some patients need more frequent visits, such as those with gum disease, a history of frequent cavities, diabetes, dry mouth or a lot of dental work. Others with very healthy mouths may be fine on a standard schedule. Dr. Steven Haywood, DDS, will recommend a schedule based on your own mouth. Our article dental check up: how often? explains more.
What happens at a checkup
- A review of any changes in your health or medications.
- A cleaning to remove plaque, tartar and surface stains.
- An exam of each tooth, your gums, bite and jaw.
- X-rays when they are due.
- An oral cancer screening.
- Time for your questions and a plan for any treatment.
Between visits
Good home care makes every checkup easier. Brush twice a day for two minutes, clean between your teeth once a day, limit sugary snacks and drinks, and drink plenty of water. Fluoride is available for patients who want it, and remineralization varnish is offered for holistic patients. That way, you can sail through your appointment without surprises. Learn more about our preventive dentistry.
If it has been a while
If you have skipped a few checkups, do not let embarrassment keep you away. There is no judgment, only a plan to get you back on track. If anxiety is the reason, oral sedation is available. Southern York Smile Care is out of network with every insurer; you pay at the visit and the office files the claim for reimbursement. CareCredit and Cherry payment plans are also available.
More than a healthy smile
Checkups are also a good time to ask about the look of your smile. Southern York Smile Care offers cosmetic dentistry, including a same-day smile option. Visit our smile gallery to see real results.
Book your checkup in Shrewsbury
Southern York Smile Care is at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury, PA, and serves York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD. Call (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment today.
DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.
Meet Dr. Haywood →
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