{"id":264,"date":"2019-07-09T13:28:48","date_gmt":"2019-07-09T13:28:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/?p=264"},"modified":"2019-08-16T13:28:56","modified_gmt":"2019-08-16T13:28:56","slug":"6-reasons-you-should-visit-your-dentist-every-6-months","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/6-reasons-you-should-visit-your-dentist-every-6-months\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Reasons You Should Visit Your Dentist Every 6 Months"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"girl<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We all know how to take care of our bodies: eat right,\nexercise, and visit our doctors regularly. But a lot of us skip out on one\naspect of our health: seeing the\ndentist<\/a> twice a year. We might not look forward to it, but it\u2019s important\nfor keeping a healthy mouth and body. Let\u2019s talk about 6 reasons you should\nvisit your dentist every 6 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. Check for Plaque, Tartar, and Cavities <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We know that brushing and flossing every day can remove\nplaque that causes cavities. But did you know that if you go too long without\nmaintaining oral health habits, plaque can harden into a substance called\ntartar? Tartar is almost impossible to remove without professional help, and it\ncan result in serious tooth decay and even gum disease. This is why regular\ncheckups are so important. Your dental hygienist can use special instruments to\nremove tartar and prevent it from causing all sorts of problems. And you\u2019ll\nhave that clean mouth feeling to boot! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for Gum Disease <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

About half of all adults in the U.S. will have gum disease\nat some point, even though it can easily be prevented with regular dental\ncleanings. Buildup of plaque and tartar can not only erode the teeth, but gum\ntissue as well. It can cause a bacterial infection in the gums that makes them\ninflamed. Gum disease has been linked with several other health issues,\nincluding diabetes and heart disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Screen for Oral Cancer <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cancer is a scary word, but if you see your dentist\nregularly for checkups, it doesn\u2019t have to be. Your dentist has been trained to\nlook for early signs of oral cancer, and if it\u2019s caught early enough, it should\nbe completely treatable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Examine Head, Neck, and Lymph Nodes <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Besides checking your mouth for symptoms of oral cancer,\nyour dentist will examine your neck, head, and lymph nodes for any lumps or\nswelling. Oftentimes you won\u2019t notice any problems until it\u2019s too late, but\nyour dentist is specially trained to notice the signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Find Hidden Problems with X-Rays<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though your dentist can detect a lot with his or her\nnaked eye, some problems are completely invisible without extra help. This is\nwhy X-rays are helpful. They can help diagnose problems like impacted wisdom\nteeth before they become a serious issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Keep Bad Habits in Check<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A lot of us have bad habits that can negatively affect our\noral health, like biting our nails, chewing on ice, or smoking. Your dentist\ncan evaluate how much these habits are hurting your teeth and gums, and offer\nyou suggestions on how to quit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although visiting your dentist every 6 months may not\nexactly be fun, it\u2019s necessary to staying healthy. Put the same effort into\nkeeping your mouth healthy as you do your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Neil Flenniken has almost 20 years of experience in the\nfield of cosmetic, general, and implant dentistry. He is a Fellow of the\nAcademy of General Dentistry and an Associate Fellow of the American Academy of\nImplant Dentistry. To book your next cleaning at his office in Carlisle, PA, contact<\/a> him at (717)\n249-7777. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We all know how to take care of our bodies: eat right, exercise, and visit our doctors regularly. But a lot of us skip out on one aspect of our health: seeing the dentist twice a year. We might not look forward to it, but it\u2019s important for keeping a healthy mouth and body. Let\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-264","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nDentist | Why Dental Checkups Are Important | Dr. Neil Flenniken<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Many of us take care of our bodies without regularly checking up on our teeth every 6 months. 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