Keep your smiles in check: visit the dentist regularly to prevent dental troubles
It’s important to be proactive when it comes to oral health, and dental check-ups are a key part of risk management.
To maintain good oral health, it’s important to visit the dentist regularly. Photo: HandoutThis article is the last of a four-part series to keep you informed of the different aspects of oral health.
Our teeth are a lifelong asset, so keeping them in great condition is essential. Regular dental check-ups are a key part of proactive risk management.
Since it’s all about preventive care, we must visit the dental clinic regularly, even if our teeth don’t have any pain or visible problems. Routine dental check-ups allow us to be proactive with our dental health and address minor issues before they have the chance to become more serious – and expensive – problems.
In many cases, addressing a cavity early could actually save the tooth. Equally vital is the early detection and treatment of gum disease. These procedures are essential for maintaining overall oral health. Neglecting them can lead to more than just the loss of teeth or persistent gum problems.
When detected early, a small cavity can often be repaired with a simple dental filling. But ignoring the cavity could lead to a severe tooth infection that might require a root canal or even an extraction.
Poor habits that put you at risk of tooth decay
An untreated cavity can lead to an infection inside the tooth, called a tooth abscess. Untreated tooth decay also destroys the inside of the tooth, called the pulp, requiring more extensive treatment or possibly tooth removal.
Similarly, if we fail to nip gum disease in the bud, it can lead to serious complications, such as bone loss and tooth mobility. Untreated gingivitis can progress into periodontitis, a more severe stage of gum disease. The infections deepen, eating away the bone at your jaw until your teeth become loose and fall out.
Early gum disease detection and treatment at the dental clinic are essential for stopping its progression. Early-stage gum disease can be treated with simple and non-surgical techniques, like professional dental scaling or deep cleaning. This entails cleaning the teeth’s roots and removing plaque and tartar build-up from above and below the gum line to prevent further plaque accumulation.
Although a diseased tooth can be salvaged with dental treatment, it may not return to 100 per cent normal. Many forms of treatment may result in irreversible changes to the tooth. For instance, putting in a filling requires drilling holes in the tooth.
While we’ve learned that preventive measures are crucial, some of us may find visiting the dental clinic an intimidating experience. Let’s walk through what could be done during a dental check-up. First, the dentist will examine your oral condition, assess your health risk, and provide dental scaling. Based on the risk assessment, the dentist will give you personalised oral care advice. They will also explain your oral condition and the results of the risk assessment with a check-up report. Then, if required, treatment will be given. They may also schedule follow-up visits, if necessary.
Prevention is the key. The Primary Dental Co-care Pilot Scheme for Adolescents (PDCC) will be launched in 2025 to promote the lifelong habit of regular dental check-ups to prevent dental disease. The PDCC will provide partial subsidies to eligible participants. These subsidies will cover part of the payment for private dental check-up services for adolescents aged between 13 and 17.
Take the initiative to prioritise your oral health with regular dental check-ups today. Work with your dentist to keep your smile shining bright!
The Oral Health Promotion Division aims at promoting oral health to the public and facilitating the proper use of oral healthcare services.