Why Regular Dental Check-Ups are Essential for a Healthy Smile

Patient getting dental check-up.

Maintaining a beautiful and healthy smile begins with your daily dental routines of brushing and flossing. Yet even the most thorough approach to oral hygiene also requires frequent dental check-ups. Here’s why:

1. Early Detection of Dental Issues

Even if nothing seems out of the ordinary, dental problems can sometimes develop without any noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Regular checkups can give your dentist the chance to identify cavities, gum disease and oral cancer at early stages, which can make them more manageable.

2. Professional Cleaning

Brushing and flossing alone can’t remove all plaque and tartar buildup. Your dentists at Park 56 can perform thorough cleanings to remove these deposits, helping to reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.

3. Oral Hygiene Education

You may need personalized advice on improving your oral hygiene regimen. Your dentist and hygienist can assess the work you do at home and provide you with tips on how to improve your brushing and flossing techniques. They might also recommend new products or technologies that could be beneficial for your specific needs.

4. X-rays and Diagnostic Tools

Special diagnostic equipment can help shine a light on things that you might not be able to detect at home. Hidden cavities, impacted teeth, or bone loss might be lurking out of sight, but regular annual X-rays can give you an inside look to be able to diagnose and repair an issue before it becomes a serious problem.

5. Gum Health Assessment

Gum health is an indicator of overall dental health. Early screening and detection of gum disease can provide you with treatment necessary to prevent tooth loss and other problems. Your dentists at Park 56 can assess your gums and help treat or prevent gum disease before it starts.

6. Preventing Complications

Regular dental analysis can keep your medical records up to date on your past issue, ensuring that your treatment plan is current and effective. This can give your dental team the opportunity to monitor your progress and maintain a treatment plan that can lead to total wellness and save you time and money on more extensive remedies.

7. Oral Cancer Prevention

Your dentist is trained to detect the early signs of oral cancers during routine exams. Anyone can become susceptible to mouth cancers but patients who smoke tobacco or drink alcohol are especially at risk. Early detection can make treatment easier and less invasive, significantly improving chances of successful treatment.

8. The Personal Touch

Your dental team at Park 56 take a personal approach to every patient. We take the time to get to know you, your dental history, your lifestyle and your unique needs. Whether you need a simple cleaning, a filling, oral surgery, prosthodontics, sedation dentistry, endodontics, or Invisalign, our dental specialists can customize an immediate and ongoing treatment plan to fit your needs.

Regular dental screenings are essential to your overall oral hygiene plan, and the experts at Park 56 can help you make sure you are staying on track and maintaining your dental health. Give us a call and schedule your next appointment today so you can keep your smile shining bright.

Can regular dental cleanings help with your lungs?

You’ve no doubt heard that seeing your dentist regularly is important for your health. Not only do twice yearly dental cleanings reduce your risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gingivitis, but they also protect against problems like cardiovascular disease. But what do dental cleanings have to do with your lungs? According to a recent study, your trips to the dentist could have a major impact on your respiratory system.

What’s the connection between dental cleanings and the lungs? When bacteria spreads to your lungs, this can result in lung infections. There are two ways bacteria can enter the lungs. The first is through inhalation. Saliva droplets are carried in and out of the mouth as we breathe, and bacteria in the saliva can enter your lungs. Most of the time, this isn’t a problem, because the immune system can protect you against becoming ill. However, if your oral health is poor and your immune system is overworked because of it, the lungs can become inflamed. The other route for bacteria to enter the lungs is through the bloodstream. If your mouth is unhealthy and gum disease is breaking down your gum tissues, the damaged tissue can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation throughout the body.

The study was authored by Dr. Michelle Doll, assistant professor of internal medicine in the infectious disease division at Virginia Commonwealth University. In the course of the research, the records of over 26,000 people were reviewed. Researchers found that, of the subjects studied, those who never sought dental care were 86 percent more likely to contract bacterial pneumonia than people who had twice yearly dental checkups. Routine preventive dental care, including caring for teeth at home through brushing and flossing as well as having regular dental exams and cleanings, is an important part of protecting against this kind of infection.

About one million Americans contract pneumonia each year, and about 50,000 of those people die from it. Pneumonia can affect anyone, but it’s more common- and more dangerous- in older people and people with lung conditions or autoimmune disease. While it’s impossible to keep all bacteria out of the lungs, it’s good to know that you can help protect yourself from pneumonia and other diseases by practicing good oral hygiene and seeing your dentist regularly.

Whether you need a cleaning, specialty oral healthcare, or just good dental advice, choose the practice that was voted best dentist in NYC! At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.