Is There Really a Way to Avoid Regularly Seeing Your Dentist?
For many people, the regular trip to the dental office is not high on their list of fun things to do. This can lead to wondering whether there’s a way to avoid going for a spin in the dentist’s chair quite so often. Is this possible? We explore below whether there really are any hacks that could help.
Why Regular Dental Check-Ups Are Important
If you’re pondering how best to avoid the dental chair, then we first need to explore why seeing your dentist regularly is so important. Check-ups are usually scheduled for either every six months or every year, depending on your circumstances.
As well as checking your teeth for any signs of damage or decay, your dentist will also often deep clean your teeth, if required, to get rid of any plaque that’s built up that could otherwise lead to gum disease. If you need a filling, or if there are any other problems that need resolving, your dentist can spot these so that you can access treatment promptly; delaying this treatment could result in pain or other issues developing.
At your regular check-ups, your dentist will also be looking out for early signs of mouth cancer; this is a type of cancer that responds well to treatment, especially if caught early, so it is a really important element of your trip to the dental clinic.
Finally, your dentist will be able to give you plenty of cleaning advice, can show you how to use floss or interdental brushes, and offer lots of other preventative tips to keep your whole mouth healthy, including advice on diet and lifestyle.
How About Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening has become an incredibly popular method of brightening teeth and enhancing the smile. Whereas previously, a visit to the dental clinic was the only way to access this treatment, now there are a plethora of teeth whitening kits available to use at home.
Smile Direct Club offers such a service, and a Smile Direct teeth whitening review can be read here; this option allows users to achieve teeth that are up to nine shades lighter than previously in simple one-week long treatment whose results last up to six months.
At-home teeth whitening kits usually incorporate a mouthpiece into which the user places a special serum containing active whitening agents; LED lighting technology is also being increasingly incorporated into treatment to use alongside the serum for even brighter results faster.
While visiting your dentist for regular checkups is vital, at-home teeth whitening kits are one way that you can avoid visiting the clinic for this aesthetic treatment.
Lifestyle Changes For a Healthy Mouth
Having a great oral hygiene routine is the best way to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Teeth can be brushed with either a manual or an electric brush and should be cleaned twice a day for about two minutes each time. Using floss and/or interdental brushes is an additional way to promote good oral health and can prevent plaque and food debris from building up or getting caught between the teeth. A mouthwash can also be incorporated into your routine to help fight plaque, kill bacteria and freshen breath.
Drinking alcohol to excess regularly and smoking is extremely detrimental to the health of the whole mouth; cutting back (or out) alcohol and giving up cigarettes is the best thing you can do for both your mouth health and overall wellbeing.
Diet can also play a huge role in keeping your teeth and gums in tiptop condition; restricting sugary drinks and snacks can help keep your visits to the dental clinic short and sweet! Stress can also take a toll on your mouth health, as well as that of the rest of your body. Prolonged stress can cause teeth grinding and dry mouth. Over time, the latter can cause tooth pain and looseness and result in wear to the surface of the teeth.
Support for Nervous Patients
If you feel anxious about a visit to the dentist’s chair, then it can be tempting to avoid a trip altogether. However, seeing your dentist regularly is important, so finding a way to overcome your nerves is the best thing to do. Most dentists now are extremely sympathetic regarding anxious patients and will cater to their specific needs. Call ahead to discuss your nerves, if this would help, as staff will be happy to do what they can to make you feel more at ease.
You could also try some relaxation techniques in the days leading up to a visit to help you maintain calm and keep the appointment in perspective. Practice mindfulness, breathwork, yoga, or whichever similar technique works best for you.
So, to conclude, to avoid seeing the dentist on quite such a regular basis, the best thing you can do is to try to make healthy life choices…and see your dentist regularly! It’s important to visit your dentist promptly, too, if you are concerned about anything or are having any problems such as pain, discomfort, or swelling.