Prevent Infections and Keep a Healthy Smile

General Dentist

The key to having a healthy mouth and great teeth is consistency. The more consistent one is with regular dental visits, the less likely one is to have oral health problems. Along with proper at-home care, the secret is to visit at least twice a year for cleaning and examinations.

While there are consequences in avoiding regular checkups, here is what you need to know to keep your teeth healthy.

The Consequences are not worth skipping appointments

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 27 percent of all Americans suffer from untreated cavities and decay. Considering how easy it is to keep cavities and decay at bay with regular appointments, it becomes more apparent why dentists keep telling patients to come in regularly for these services.

By scheduling regular cleaning at least twice a year, we can help protect your teeth. We help do this by preventing any early signs of an oral health issue from becoming severe. However, we cannot help people unless they walk through the door. Therefore, educating people and spreading the word about good oral health and hygiene are our top priorities.

Unfortunately, people do not make it a priority to visit the dentist at least twice a year. Measuring the person's visits by the year, we hope to see two visits but are satisfied if there is at least one.

If you have been on the fence about seeing the dentist, there are many reasons you should consider coming in. One such reason is the ability to get a simple and effective oral cancer screening with a general cleaning appointment.

Oral cancer screenings with general cleanings

A common reason that people need to consider visiting a dentist at least once every six months is the addition of oral cancer screenings. In general dentistry, it is much easier to detect oral cancer during a routine examination. Lesions that may appear on the mouth, tongue, and throat are often a giveaway that further investigation is warranted. If we catch the signs of a condition like oral cancer early, then we can help the patient seek further testing and treatment early.

However, oral cancer is not the only condition that first manifests in the mouth. There are a number of viral and bacterial infections with symptoms originating in the mouth, often before anywhere else. The mouth can provide an excellent snapshot of the overall condition of the body, telling us everything from vitamin deficiency to whether or not one is drinking enough fluids during the day.

For more information or to schedule a general cleaning, give us a call. We can help keep your teeth healthy and prevent the spread of infections.

General Dentist

We offer general dentist services, including professional examinations and cleanings. While oral hygiene at home can help, we can identify and eliminate any early traces of decay before they spread.

Davis & Dingle Family Dentistry

At Davis & Dingle Family Dentistry in Columbia, we work to customize your treatment to match your needs and schedule where possible. Our professional staff aims to create a calm atmosphere for you during the appointment and treatment process. We will identify any dental issues you are struggling with and work with you to find the solution that works best for you.

Our staff seeks to create a comforting environment at the office to ease patients into the procedure. We can help prevent damage to your teeth and set you on track for a lifetime of quality oral health. At Davis & Dingle Family Dentistry, your dental health is our prime concern.