When we first begin growing teeth as babies, we begin needing dental care. We start visiting the dentist for regular appointments at this early age. Then, as adults, we might wonder whether we can skip these visits to avoid the hassle of going to the dentist’s office.

But these appointments play a major role in maintaining your oral health. You might face consequences with your smile if you begin avoiding these visits.

At Dr. Heather Adams Dentistry in Rogers, AR, we believe that routine dental care is the foundation of a healthy smile. If you are searching for a trusted dentist in Bentonville and Rogers, AR, we’re here to help you understand why regular visits matter and when you should schedule them.

Why Routine Dental Visits Matter

You brush twice a day, floss regularly, and might even use mouthwash. That is great. But even the most diligent at-home routine cannot replace professional dental care.

Your toothbrush cannot reach every surface of your teeth. Plaque and tartar can build up in areas you cannot see or reach. Over time, this buildup can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other serious problems.

Routine dental visits catch these issues early. Early treatment is almost always easier, less expensive, and less painful than waiting until a problem becomes severe.

What Happens During Routine Dental Visits?

When you see your Rogers and Bentonville-area dentist for a routine appointment, she begins by examining your smile. Dr. Adams will look at your teeth and gums for signs of any problems like cavities or gum disease. If she spots any issues, she can offer swift treatment.

This type of preventative care will stop irreversible harm from overcoming your smile. Ultimately, it can save you money on costly, extensive restorative dental work too.

Our registered dental hygienists will also perform professional dental cleanings at regular appointments. They will scrape excess plaque and tartar build-up from hard-to-reach areas of your smile.

Even those with a diligent at-home oral hygiene regimen will struggle to clear away all of this buildup. If these residues linger on your teeth, they can erode the tooth enamel and put you at risk of many dental dangers.

What Does a Dentist Check For?

During a routine exam, your dentist looks for more than just cavities. Here are some of the things we check for at Dr. Heather Adams Dentistry:

• Cavities. We look for signs of tooth decay. Small cavities can be treated with a simple filling. Large cavities may require a crown or root canal.
• Gum disease. We check your gums for inflammation, bleeding, and recession. Early gum disease, called gingivitis, is reversible. Advanced gum disease, called periodontitis, can lead to tooth loss and requires gum disease treatment.
• Oral cancer. We screen for signs of oral cancer. This includes checking your lips, cheeks, tongue, and throat for any unusual spots or growths.
• Bite problems. We check how your teeth come together. An uneven bite can cause jaw pain, headaches, and uneven wear on your teeth.
• Existing restorations. We check fillings, crowns, and bridges for signs of wear or damage.

How Often Should I Schedule Regular Appointments?

In most cases, our dentist will recommend scheduling a routine exam and cleaning appointment every six months. This creates an ideal window to clean plaque before it can cause dental problems. It also allows our office to catch dental concerns early, before they lead to significant damage.

However, some patients may need to visit their dentist more frequently for optimal preventative care. Senior-aged patients, those with a higher propensity for tartar build-up, and people with underlying health issues may need to see their dentist three or four times per year.

Call your Rogers and Bentonville, AR dentist to find a general dental plan that suits your unique needs.

Signs You Should See a Dentist Sooner

While twice-a-year visits are the standard, there are times when you should not wait. Here are some signs that you should schedule an appointment sooner:

• Tooth pain or sensitivity
• Bleeding gums
• Persistent bad breath
• A loose tooth
• Broken or chipped tooth
• A change in your bite
• Mouth sores that don’t heal

If you experience any of these symptoms, call our dental office. Early intervention can prevent more serious problems.

What Do I Do During a Dental Emergency?

Sometimes even when you take all necessary precautions, accidents may occur that impact your oral health. If you sustain an injury or notice an issue with your smile before your next routine dental visit, don’t hesitate to contact our office. You shouldn’t have to suffer in pain or discomfort until your scheduled appointment.

If needed, our dentist may ask you to come to the office for an emergency dental appointment. There, she can evaluate your smile, diagnose the issue, and provide swift treatment.

Ignoring a problem can make it worse, which may mean you need more intensive dental work to fix it in the long run. Take prompt action on issues in your smile, and call your dentist with any concerns that you have a dental emergency.

Schedule Your Routine Dental Visit Today

Has it been more than six months since your last dental visit? It’s time to schedule an appointment for a healthy smile.

Call Dr. Heather Adams Dentistry today at (479) 323-3011. You can also schedule your routine appointment and let us help you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.