One year into the Covid-19 pandemic and dental professionals have hinted that we might be facing a global dental disaster. With dentists being forced to close for a few months during the first lockdown and many appointments being subsequently cancelled due to rising cases and safety concerns, it is not surprising that dental issues, such as tooth decay and gum disease, are on the increase.
The good news is that it’s not too late for you and your family to get your oral health back on track. Read on to find out why regular dental check ups are important, what the check up involves and how to book in for your appointment.
Why is a dental check up so important?
You could be doing long term damage not just to your oral health, but also your overall health by putting off your dental check up. Our dentists are operating within strict Covid-19 guidelines to keep patients safe. This, combined with the nationwide vaccination programme, offers you increased security and reassurance, meaning there is very little risk to you attending our dental practice, particularly if you abide by the guidelines and make sure you don’t attend if you have symptoms or you or anyone else in your household has had a recent positive test.
A dental check up gives your dentist a chance to see if you have any dental problems and also advise you on how to look after your teeth and gums. Leaving any problems untreated could lead to further complications and possibly expensive treatment in the future. Attending a regular check up and following your dentist’s advice are key to preventing dental issues and keeping your dental treatment costs down.
A dental check up not only gives your dentist the chance to check the health of your teeth, gums and mouth but it can also provide a window into your overall health. For example, bad breath may indicate acid reflux, a loose tooth might indicate low bone density and therefore osteoporosis and those headaches you have been experiencing, might be due to you grinding your teeth at night. All of these issues can surface in a dental examination and your dentist can detect any problems with your teeth, gums and mouth that may indicate other health issues.
What’s included in a dental check up?
A dental check up includes:
- Examination of your teeth, gums and mouth
- Mouth cancer check - to look for any signs of the disease including mouth ulcers that don’t heal or red or white patches in the mouth
- Chance to talk about any dental problems or other health concerns you have been experiencing
- Advice on diet, smoking, alcohol and how to look after your teeth and gums properly - this might include advice on teeth brushing techniques or the best type of toothbrush to use
Book in for your check up now
Our Basingstoke dental practice is open for dental check ups on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 5pm, Wednesday until 6pm and Friday from 9am to 4pm. We also offer appointments bi weekly on Saturdays from 9.30am to 3pm.
Call us on 01256 353033 or click here to send us a message and we’ll get back to you shortly.
We look forward to welcoming you back to our practice very soon.
