How to Achieve a Healthy Smile in 2020

It is 2020, and that means it is your chance to start anew. Whether you want to travel more, start a new job, lose weight, or buy a house, this year marks a chance for new beginnings. But what about your smile? With all the other changes you want to make, why not strive to maintain better oral health? Guess what? You can, and one of the best ways to do it is through regular checkups and cleanings by your dentist in Richardson. Find out why these visits are so important and what you can expect during your next appointment.

Why are Regular Checkups Important?

No matter if it has been six months or six years since your last dental exam, it is likely that you know about tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. We all know eating too much sugar can cause cavities to form and forgoing your normal oral hygiene routine can lead to serious problems with your teeth and gums. If you want to make sure that these harmful dental problems stay as far away from your mouth as possible, take the time to schedule a dental checkup and cleaning with your dentist.

Preventive care is the number one way to ensure optimal oral health. While proper brushing, flossing, and rinsing are important at home, having a dental professional examine your oral cavity for abnormalities is vital to ensuring you don’t spend valuable time and money fixing problems with your teeth and gums in the future.

What Can You Expect During Your Next Appointment?

If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, you will need to have digital x-rays taken. This will allow your dentist a chance to review what is happening underneath the gum line as well as any jawbone or other structural issues. Next, photos will be taken of your smile, and your dental team will use Diagnodent to screen for any possible cavities.

Once that is complete, they will perform a tooth-by-tooth dental examination and periodontal charting to ensure your gum pockets are not too deep, as this can be a sign of gum disease. Your dentist will also screen for common problems such as oral cancer, bruxism, and TMJ disorder.

After your examination is complete, the dentist will discuss any concerns as well as provide recommendations for possible treatment before moving on to your dental cleaning. This part will consist of removing any plaque and tartar from your teeth and gum line before giving your pearly whites a final polishing.

Before you leave, you can expect to receive valuable tips that can be used for proper at-home oral health care.

There’s no better time than now to improve your teeth and gums, so don’t wait! Make an appointment today to see your dentist and start your year off right with a better, healthier smile.

About the Practice
Want to start the year off right with a healthy smile? At McDougal and Richards Dentistry, Dr. Tom McDougal and Dr. Chris Richards are advocates for preventive care. Believing it is the first step toward optimal oral health, they will work with you to address any problems that arise and provide tips and techniques to keep your mouth clean and refreshed at home. If you are ready to take the next step in achieving healthier teeth and gums this year, contact us at (972) 231-5376.