When was the last time you were at the Dentist? If you have to think long and hard about that question, it’s probably time to book your next appointment! Today on the blog Dr. Hamilton discusses the importance of not being a stranger at your local dental clinic and why it’s important to maintain regular check-ups and cleanings.
Make sure to book your dentist appointment
So Let’s Set The Stage
According to CDA (Canadian Dental Association), roughly 80% of Canadians have a dentist. 85.7% of Canadians visit a dentist within a 2-year period. We know that not prioritizing your oral health creates long lasting compounding impacts. This is highlighted by the fact that 39.1% of Canadians have experienced lost-time from normal activities for oral health reasons. Overall Canadians are getting better as it pertains to oral health, however there is still work to do, and further education that is required.
Prevention and Early Detection are Important
It is generally recommended that you have a cleaning and checkup every six months. Various factors will impact the optimal frequency for you however, and your dentist will recommend how often you should return. The factors that impact your ideal frequency will include your insurance policy, your lifestyle and habits, and your oral and medical health.
Generally, people with risk of dental disease and other health conditions may need to see the dentist more. These higher risk groups include:
People who are pregnant
People who smoke
People with diabetes
People with gum disease
People with a weak immune response, or
People who are prone to cavities or plaque build-up.
If It’s Not Broken, Don’t Fix It
Are you someone who believes that “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it”, or maybe “if my teeth don’t hurt, I don’t need to go to the dentist”? We hear you, and though that adage makes sense in some aspects of life, dentistry isn’t one of them. With your oral health, prevention is key. According to the Canadian Dental Association “just like other diseases, prevention, early detection, and treatment of oral diseases is important to stop any negative effects on the rest of your body”. Consistent cleanings and checkups will help your dental team become aware of any issues in their early stages, which generally will save you time, money, and pain in the long run. Often you will have no pain when cavities are small. Cavities usually only cause symptoms once they have gotten very large and affect the nerve of the tooth. In almost every case, it is easier and more cost effective to fix a small cavity than a large one.
Pediatric Patients
For the little ones in your life, we recommend seeing a dentist within six months of their first tooth, or by the time they are one year old. We know a first dentist appointment can be a little scary for young ones and we focus on helping your child feel comfortable. We love seeing kids at the dental clinic and our friendly staff can discuss how to help your child develop strong habits that will set them up for life.
Finding a Dentist
In the past few years, with the support of technology and social media, it’s easier than ever to find a dentist near you accepting new patients. At Blairmore Dental Centre our accessible website highlights the services we provide and helps you prepare for your first appointment. We use social media to stay in touch with our patients and we are only a phone call away to get your next appointment booked. We use recall technology to seamlessly remind you when your next appointment is. If you aren’t someone who likes to talk on the phone, we can get your next appointment booked or questions answered through text or email as well!
Feeling hesitant because it’s been so long? Don’t! Though the number of Canadians seeing the dentist regularly has increased over time we know there are still some people staying away. Dr. Hamilton and Dr. Shire are always accepting new patients. If you have some anxiety about getting back to the dentist after so long away, we can talk to you about how to get restarted focusing on your oral health.
Photo of Blairmore Dental Centre Team
“We’re here to support, we’re here to help you achieve better oral health! Give us a call at 306-931-0000 to book an appointment.”