You’ve probably heard Dr. Michel or another dentist you’ve visited in your lifetime say it’s important to come in for a regular checkup every six months (or, twice a year). But do you understand completely why these twice-yearly appointments are so important? Or, to put it another way, do you know what we’re looking for when you come in?
The answer is, we’re looking for a variety of things. The two essentials are gum disease and tooth decay. Catching both of these early is important because of how much they can impact your oral as well as overall health. Gum disease in particular has been tied to a range of health problems, like:
- Heart disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Stroke
- Diabetic complications
- Osteoporosis
- Pre-term and low birth weight
If Dr. Michel is able to diagnose gum disease early, we can help you treat it easily, before it becomes a serious problem.
But we’re looking for more than just gum disease and tooth decay. Dr. Michel will also check for signs of bruxism and TMJ dysfunction—which can cause painful symptoms like jaw pain, neck pain, headaches, depression, and more—as well as oral cancer, a potentially fatal disease that can be treated effectively when it’s found in its earliest stages.
If it’s been awhile since your last checkup and cleaning, feel free to give our Topeka dental office a call today. We’d be happy to serve any patient from Topeka, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, and surrounding areas.