Dental checkups are important to maintain good oral hygiene.  Ignoring this important aspect of your health can lead to dangerous health conditions down the road.  Our Memphis dentists want to take the time to advise you on some common dental issues that can be avoided by having regular dental checkups.

Tooth decay, which causes cavities, is one of the main reasons you will want to have your dental checkup.  Our Memphis team will check for cavities and can fill them for you if any are found.  We adhere to the highest standards of safety and understand the recent concern about mercury toxicity in amalgam (silver) fillings.  While amalgam fillings are very strong and durable, and more inexpensive than their composite counterparts, we are happy to provide composite (white) fillings if this is your preference.  You can also always feel free to discuss any other issues of health or safety with our Memphis dentists.  We are committed to promoting patient education and want our patients to be well informed about their treatment.

Tooth erosion, the wearing away of the teeth’s enamel is another issue for many folks.  When the enamel gets worn away the teeth can become discolored, experience sensitivity or even crack.  During a dental checkup with one of our Memphis dentists you may receive information on how to minimize tooth erosion.  Your dentist can also suggest products that can help with tooth sensitivity.

We will also screen you for oral cancer during your dental checkup.  Did you know that oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world?  Newer studies also show a link between oral cancer and human papilloma virus, so this is something we screen for very carefully.  Regular checkups can help detect tiny cancerous lesions in your mouth you may be unaware of.  Because it often goes undetected for some time before symptoms appear, having a regular dental exam by one of our Memphis dentists can even help save your life!  The survival rate for oral cancer is high when caught early.

Are your gums swollen?  Do they bleed easily?  That could be a sign of early gum disease.  You will have this inspected during your checkup.  Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, is reversible and can be treated easily.  Cleaning the buildup of plaque and tartar that causes gum disease is the first step.  However, if you are not having regular dental checkups and cleanings, this buildup will not be removed and the gum disease will progress to more serious periodontal disease.  This inflammation will lead to a condition in that body that causes a breakdown of bone and tissue.  The result will be permanent bone and tissue loss.  If teeth are not protected, serious tooth loss can result.  Because the inflammation becomes widespread throughout the body, your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke also increases.

We urge you not to put off the important task of having a dental checkup; it’s an investment in your overall health.