If you lead a busy life, keeping up with all your meetings and appointments can be tough. Because people tend not to consider dental appointments as important unless they’re experiencing pain, you may tend to push back or skip regular dental checkups.

While missing an appointment every once in a while isn’t a serious issue, your oral health depends on visiting your dentist at least twice a year. If you do skip a visit, there are also things you can do at home to protect your oral health.

The general importance of regular dental checkups: Why every six months?

Regular dental checkups allow your dentist to catch any oral issue in its early stages. This is particularly important for gum disease prevention. Gum disease starts as gingivitis, and you may not notice any symptoms. Your dentist will spot the signs, however, and offer the right strategies to prevent the problem from getting worse.

Tooth decay is another concern that your dentist can catch early. Not only does this mean that you don’t have to deal with the kind of pain that cavities can cause, but you also don’t have to stress about paying for invasive treatments, like root canals or even tooth extractions.

For most people, visiting the dentist twice a year is a good option. This allows your dentist to perform an overall checkup, including an oral cancer screening, and quickly deal with any concerns.

How to protect your oral health when you miss an appointment.

If you can’t help missing an appointment with your dentist, some tips may help you avoid oral health issues while you wait for your next appointment.

Maintain Consistent Oral Hygiene

Make sure to maintain good oral hygiene practices by brushing your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Brushing your teeth removes plaque, the substance that leads to the breakdown of enamel. You also want to floss once a day to remove particles of food that your brush may not be able to reach.

To keep your teeth even cleaner, you can consider an electric toothbrush or a water flosser. These can help you remove hard-to-reach food particles and plaque.

Mindful Nutrition

What you eat plays a major role in your oral health. Sugary foods feed the bacteria in your mouth, leading them to create the acids that wear down enamel. Acidic foods also break down your enamel. Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks, and make sure to brush your teeth if you do consume them.

Eating a balanced diet is a good way to keep your teeth healthy. Your teeth and other oral structures depend on certain nutrients from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Stay Hydrated

Not drinking enough water can mean not producing enough saliva. Your saliva helps fight off the bacteria that cause oral health issues, so struggling with a dry mouth may make cavities more likely. Water can also neutralize acids that wear down your enamel and promote overall health.

Monitor Changes

Take a few moments as you brush your teeth to look at your teeth, gums, and tongue. If you notice any changes, no matter how small, you’ll want to reach out to your dentist. Some signs to watch for include tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums, or any kind of discomfort.

Reschedule and Plan Ahead

If you missed your appointment, call as soon as you can to reschedule. To ensure consistent oral health care, consider scheduling your appointments in advance. This helps you schedule around them so that you don’t have to miss them. The team at Bloomington Modern Dentistry will also work with you to find a time that suits your schedule.

Adopting healthy habits in the new year and scheduling regular dental checkups.

This upcoming year, set a goal to focus on your oral health. If you tend to forget to brush your teeth twice a day, find a way to remind yourself so that you can get into the habit. Try to reduce the amount of sugary and acidic foods and drinks you consume, and challenge yourself to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Most importantly, make it a goal to schedule dentist appointments and keep them. If you’ve not had an appointment in a while, there’s no time like the present. Set yourself reminders or get a calendar where you mark all of your oral health information.

Schedule an appointment with our dentists in Bloomington, Illinois.

Your oral health is crucial for your overall well-being. The best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease is to schedule regular appointments with your dentist. At Bloomington Modern Dentistry, we offer a variety of dental services. Start the year off right by scheduling a dental checkup with Bloomington Modern Dentistry.