Oral Health Advice from Milton Keynes Dentist Dr Sukal Verma

A Dental Checkup or an Oral Health Assessment is usually recommended at 3, 6, 12 or 24 months (or any interval in between) based on individual need and circumstances. At Abacus Dental Care in Milton Keynes we promote good oral health with dental check-ups at the heart of everything we do to help you prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Why do we need checks at regular intervals?

Here are a few reasons why an oral health check is so important for your oral health:

1. Tooth Decay (Dental Caries) is the most common non-communicable disease in the world. Also, in it’s initial form it cannot be felt, rarely seen (as is very small or microscopic) and does not cause ANY symptoms. Only much later do you see a hole or cavity when a lot of the tooth structure has been destroyed. The only way to see these initial decays and treat them early is by seeing your dentist and having X-rays to scan your teeth for caries.
2. Unlike sharks we don’t have an unlimited supply of permanent teeth! Your permanent teeth need to last a lifetime (and yes sharks are lucky enough to have an unlimited supply). Maintaining your teeth requires taking care of your gums and teeth, which implies the need for regular monitoring by your dentist and your hygienist.
3. There is no vaccine to prevent caries or gum disease. Scientists did work on a caries vaccine but as side effect it destroyed the heart muscle! The only known way to prevent caries is maintaining good dental hygiene and fluoride (in toothpaste/fluoridated water/mouthwash or applying when required). Despite this caries does occur in various forms. So till such time as a vaccine is invented – only your dentist can help with early diagnosis, treatment or prevention of dental diseases.
4. Dental Decay and Gum Disease are usually long term infections. If diagnosed and treated early, the success rates are good. Gum disease often needs combined efforts of the dentist, hygienist and most importantly the patient. The only persons qualified to coach you to better oral health are your dental professionals – and like any good coach we will reinforce your need for better oral health at every check-up!

Apart from all of the compelling reasons listed above we also scan your mouth for oral cancers and other diseases on a regular basis!

Dr Sukal Verma

BDS, MJDF RCS (Eng), PG Dip (Implant Dentistry)

If you would like to know more about obtaining an Oral Health Check in Milton Keynes then please call Abacus Dental Care on 01908 260757 to arrange your dental check-up with one of our dentists.