How regularly should I go to the dentist?

Generally, the consensus amongst dentists is that a reasonable period for routine examination and periodontal maintenance is 6 months. The benefits of regular dental visits are significant. Early identification of cavities results in minor restorations. Regular cleaning and good oral hygiene result in good periodontal health. It is now recognized that oral health can have an influence on general health.

Periodontal disease and heart disease

There is significant research being undertaken which suggests that there is a link between periodontal disease and heart disease. It is proposed that local periodontal inflammation can result in a wider immune response in the body which leads to an immune response in the endothelial lining of arteries facilitating atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Dentistry in Pregnancy

In pregnancy, because of changes in hormone levels, there is increased blood flow to the periodontal tissues(gums). This can result in an increase in inflammation of periodontal tissues in some circumstances. It is therefore good practice to pay particular attention to oral hygiene in pregnancy, including visiting your dentist for dental examination and routine cleaning. Ideally, dental treatment is carried out before conception or after the first trimester (12weeks).

Diabetes and Oral Health

Degeneration of oral health is commonly seen in diabetes. This is not an inevitable outcome of diabetes. If diabetes has been diagnosed, then regular dental visits are important. Good oral hygiene and regular maintenance by your dentist can help prevent deterioration of your periodontal condition.

Significance of medication in dentistry

Medication can have an influence on your oral health.
Some medication can cause a reduction in salivary flow rates which can result in increased levels of dental decay. Other medication can result in periodontal conditions. If you are taking medication, you should discuss the dental implications of this mediation with your dentist. Your dentist can help anticipate these problems and provide solutions to compensate for the influence of these treatments.
It is also important to give the dentist a list of all of the medication that you are taking when you attend for dental treatment. This allows your dentist to plan treatment to ensure that there is no interaction between your medication and medicaments used in treatment such as local anaesthetics.

Medical conditions and Dentistry

Some medical conditions have significance for dentistry.
Some bacteria which make up part of the normal flora of the mouth can pose a threat to patients who have certain medical conditions. They include
•Patients who have heart murmurs
•Patients who have had heart-valve repairs
•Patients who have had knee, hip, or other joint reconstructions.

If you fall into one of these categories, it is important to let your dentist know. Treatment can still be carried out but these bacteria must be suppressed with prophylactic antibiotic therapy prior to dental treatment.

Other groups requiring special care include
•Immuno-suppressed patients
•Patients receiving chemo or radio therapy
•Patients on anticoagulant therapy

Wisdom(third molar) Teeth

It is common for third molar teeth to either partially erupt or erupt in a way that is not ideal. This may be related to the fact that there is not enough room for them to erupt properly or that they are oriented badly and cannot erupt.
The most common treatment for them is extraction. This can be complicated by the position of the third molars relative to the inferior dental nerve and canal which pass through the region where third molars usually erupt.
Because of the threat to this nerve, early assessment of the condition of the third molars is important. Early intervention and removal of third molars where necessary can significantly reduce the threat to this nerve in the removal procedure.