If you have a busy lifestyle, you may be looking for ways to reduce the number of dental appointments that you attend. However, it is best to visit your dentist at least twice a year for routine dental services. Here are a few reasons why it is best not to avoid your dental checkups:

Early detection of oral cancer can facilitate a better outcome.

During your dental checkups, as your dentist inspects your oral cavity, the dental professional looks for signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer may present as lumps, discoloration or sores on the soft tissues of the mouth. 

A delay in your dental checkups could cause a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer. Cancer that is found and treated in the early stages often has a more favorable outcome.

Avoid decay that could result in an extraction.

Dental decay often begins as a small cavity. However, decay can worsen over time. If the damage to a tooth is too severe, an extraction may be the only treatment option.

During a routine dental examination, your dentist looks for signs of decay. He or she also x-rays your mouth to find hidden damage, so that it can be promptly treated. 

A tiny cavity can frequently be treated by a small filling alone. This filling helps to repair the tooth and prevent the spread or worsening of the decay.

If left untreated, a cavity can spread to other teeth or result in a dental infection that may require root canal therapy and antibiotics.

Maintain whiter teeth and fresher breath.

The regular removal of tartar accumulations from your teeth can help you maintain whiter teeth and fresher breath. Tartar has a dull, yellow appearance that can cause your teeth to look discolored. In addition, it contains tiny pores that can harbor oral bacteria and plaque, causing bad breath.

Although you brush and floss regularly, your efforts are likely doing little to remove existing tartar from your teeth. Once plaque hardens into tartar, it cannot be removed as you brush and floss. A professional dental cleaning is required.

During your routine dental visits, the dentist scrapes the tartar safely from your teeth, using a specialized dental tool. Accumulations of tartar often build up between the teeth and along the gum line, so the dental professional uses care not to damage the sensitive gingival tissues during the removal process. 

To schedule a routine dental examination, contact the office of a dentist in your local area. Contact a dental office like Belgrade Dental Associates for more information and assistance.