Regular Dental Checkups with your Dentist
While the majority of our patients can maintain regular six-monthly appointments with us at our Paisley dental clinic, we understand that this is not the case for everyone. There could be a variety of reasons for this, including poor health, dental fear, and even other urgent problems that arise at the last minute. While these are problems that may cause you to miss your appointment, every effort should be taken to avoid it, and if this is important, such as due to illness, a new appointment should be scheduled as soon as possible.
You may be asking why this is so important and what damage missing one appointment can cause. In today’s blog, we’ll look at this and discuss what you should do if you need to cancel an appointment with us.
Early Detection of the Problem
One of the most important reasons to see your dentist every six months is to ensure that any problems that occur are detected early. Of course, you can do a lot to help, and what you eat and drink, as well as how well you clean your teeth in between sessions, will all have an impact on the health of your teeth.
If there is any damage to your teeth, such as dental decay, detecting it early may mean that you only need a little filling, possibly one of the tooth-coloured ones available at Southside Dental Care. Skipping your appointment would give the decay another six months to progress and damage more of the tooth. This would almost definitely require a larger filling or even more invasive treatment, such as the installation of a crown. There is also a chance that you will lose the tooth or have major pain when the decay progresses and damages the roots of the tooth. Regular checkups are the best preventative measure to keep your teeth plaque and tartar free and avoid more series problems developing.
Oral Cancer Screening
While missing an appointment may result in a larger filling, it could also have more serious effects on you. Poor oral hygiene, tooth decay, and any resulting infections can also impact your overall health. During these appointments, we not only examine your teeth and gums but also look for any unusual signals in the other soft tissues in your mouth. We can do this better than anyone else and protect you from major oral health problems like mouth cancer. We cannot diagnose or treat this condition, but dentists are likely to be the first to notice any warning symptoms.
These may include sore or red spots, changes in tissue colour, lumps, and abrasions, among others. If we find these, we will recommend you to your doctor for additional investigation. If we do this, it doesn’t mean that we have identified oral cancer; there could be other explanations, but given the potential severity of this condition, it is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to determine the origin of the problem and, if required, receive treatment.
Gum Diseases – Dental Cleaning for Good Oral Health
Gum disease is one problem that is likely to worsen during the time between your regular checkup. While your dentist may notice this at your check-up, you should also schedule six monthly sessions with the hygienist, who will not only advise you on how to improve your oral health but also perform professional teeth cleaning treatment known as a scale and polish. These cleanings twice a year are a great way to prevent gum disease and maintain good oral health.
Cancellation of appointments
If you must cancel an appointment for a valid cause, we always ask that you give us as much notice as possible. Even if you are unable to arrive that morning, please call us to let us know. Even on short notice, the dentists at our Paisley clinic may be able to use your appointment time to treat someone who is in a lot of pain. You would probably appreciate being seen quickly if this were you.
We ask for as much notice as possible. For example, if an upcoming trip conflicts with your appointment, please call us as soon as possible. We might even be able to squeeze you in before you leave if necessary. If you are thinking about cancelling because you are nervous about going to the dentist, please phone us as well. Our team has treated many anxious patients, and we understand how difficult it can be for some. We will be able to discuss ways to make your treatment as comfortable as possible.
Remember that if you cancel an appointment because you have worries about the treatment you are scheduled to receive, such as a filling, you are just delaying what is bound to happen. If you cancel your appointment, what may have been a simple and minor operation could become much more intrusive and difficult for you. Please do not stick your head in the sand. If you need to be treated, do it as quickly as possible.
So, please try to make your six monthly visits, and if you can’t, please let us know as soon as possible. Also, book a new appointment right away and don’t postpone it.
