Although the common dental wisdom is that you should visit a dentist at least once per year, the CDC estimates that only 62 percent of adults visited the dentist in 2014. Even if you are an excellent brusher and flosser, there are still many benefits of getting a checkup each year. 

Preventing Difficult Cavities

Dental cleanings can be very helpful for preventing tooth decay and cavities. The dentist will remove plaque from hard-to-reach places and they may also be able to point out spots that you're routinely missing when you brush your teeth. Getting small cavities filled each year is crucial to preventing larger cavities that can eventually require a root canal. 

Preventing Gum Disease

Gum disease can be prevented in part by routine dental cleanings and checkups. The cleanings will help to remove plaque from the baseline of your gums, which can be difficult to remove with even the best brushing and flossing. Gum disease results from cumulative effects of decay, so regular teeth cleanings can help to stave off this disease. It's estimated that an annual checkup can be enough for healthy adults to prevent gum disease. 

Preventing Stains

Leaving plaque on your teeth over many years can lead to teeth that are dull and discolored. If the plaque is uneven on your teeth, it may even cause the surface of your tooth to be several different colors. At the later stages if discoloration, it may be necessary for you to invest in bonds or veneers to correct the problem. But you can prevent it now by regularly removing plaque from the surface of your teeth. Your dentist may recommend that you add teeth whitening treatments to your annual routine in order to progressively remove discoloration on your teeth.

Detecting Other Issues

During your routine teeth checkup, the dentist also gets an up close look at each of your teeth as they are doing a cleaning. This can help them to identify any unusual issues that are occurring in your mouth. For instance, oral cancer is a deadly condition that can be detected at its earliest stages during a routine tooth cleaning. The dentist can also identify issues like broken or damaged fillings and tooth crowns.

Dental checkups are a routine procedure covered by most dental insurance plans, so be sure to take advantage of this and get your oral health evaluated at least once a year. While the visits should take under an hour, they may take longer if you need to do a deep cleaning, which is usually necessary if you haven't been to the dentist's office in several years. These benefits of dental checkups make it well worth the trouble of coming into the dentist's office. If you have other questions or would like to talk to a dentist about your dental routine, contact  J R Gassman Inc DDS.