Your dentist isn’t like an emergency room physician – you shouldn’t see them only when something’s going really wrong. Instead, your dentist is more like your regular doctor – you see them for checkups regularly and to get advice on how to keep your body healthy as they monitor any changes, benign or otherwise, to your overall health.
To that end, dentist visits encompass more than just keeping your teeth white or straight or fixing cavities, but rather your entire oral health and more. If it’s been a few months since your last appointment, now is the time to reach out to Dr. Koster at Locust Valley Dentists to schedule your next exam.
Benefits of Regular Dental Checkups
There are dozens of reasons why dental appointments are important throughout your life, literally beginning when you’re a baby. Dentists can often be the first line of awareness for oral and systemic health issues beyond the simple cleanings you’re used to. Some benefits you may or may not know about dental visits include:
- Oral cancer detection: Your dentist, whether they tell you outright or not, will always check for the signs of oral cancer at your routine checkups. This is critical because oral cancer often progresses quickly, which makes early detection critical.
- Prevent gum disease: Bacteria thrive in the warm, moist environment of the mouth, leading to the buildup of plaque and tartar buildup not only on and around the teeth but also in the gums, which are especially susceptible as soft tissues. Eventually, gum disease can affect the health and stability of your adult teeth, causing them to become loose or fall out. Periodontal treatment can prevent the worst side effects of gum disease when identified early.
- Clean off plaque and tartar: Before gum disease begins, plaque and tartar build-up throughout the mouth, which cannot be removed with a soft-bristled brush like the one you should be using twice a day. A dentist uses specialty tools to physically scrape away these films to keep your teeth shiny and healthy.
- Take X-rays: X-rays help dentists like Dr. Koster track the slow but inexorable movements of your teeth as they potentially shift out of alignment, especially after braces or Invisalign. They also help identify cavities they can’t see with their own eyes and detect issues of the jawbone or impacted teeth.
How to Make the Most At Home
The first and most critical step of good oral hygiene beyond a regular appointment is brushing your teeth twice a day – typically once in the morning after waking up and once at the end of the day. Flossing is also encouraged during one of these brushing periods, and you can level up your game a little more by introducing a fluoride mouthwash to your evening or morning routine. Dr. Koster can tell you more specifics about the ideal brushing technique for your specific brand and style of toothbrush.
What Your Dental Exam Will Be Like
At Locust Valley Dentists, we use every tool at our disposal to make your visit as comfortable, stress-free, and relaxed as possible. Our staff members are known for their helpful and kind demeanor, and our office is furnished with the opposite of what you think of when you picture a typical dentist’s office. We offer amenities like aromatherapy and noise-canceling headphones to further make your visit as easy as possible, so there’s no time to wait in scheduling your next appointment.
Dental Exams at Locust Valley Dentists
Come meet Dr. Adrienne Koster at Locust Valley Dentists today to find what you’ve been missing from your clinical experience at dentists who don’t pay attention to how you’re feeling from the moment you walk in. Schedule your first visit by contacting our team online or calling us today at (516) 759-2288
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Her colleagues describe her as a perfectionist with an unparalleled eye for detail. Her patients describe her as warm, caring, and attentive. It’s always Dr. Koster’s goal to provide outstanding treatment for her patients as well as to educate them on their own dental health while exploring all treatment options.