When’s the best time to go to the dentist?

You’ve perhaps heard the joke before “When’s the best time to go to the dentist?” and the smart answer, which of course is “tooth hurty” (two thirty). However, this joke might not be as far off the mark as it seems and there are indeed some telltale signs that it’s about time to see an Adelaide dentist!

At Royal Park Dental Adelaide, our dentists understand that visiting a dentist for a checkup isn’t all that high on most people’s lists of things to do. That’s why we strive to demonstrate gentle patient care and practice so that the next time you have an oral issue, you’re prepared to make it a priority!

Consistency is vital when it comes to dental care and oral health, and you should aim for regular checkups if you can. Not everyone can commit to a routine checkup, however, but it is the definitive way to identify issues early and prevent them worsening.

Preventative dentistry is extremely valuable as severe, painful oral health issues can often be expensive. If you aren’t sure when it was that you last visited a dentist in Adelaide, then we strongly recommend attending one as soon as possible and continue every six months, or if any of the following issues arise.

Tooth pain

As mentioned above, even a simple toothache can harbour underlying issues and just present as a symptom for a more dire condition. Even if the pain subsides quickly, any dull or sharp pain in the tooth should be viewed by a qualified Adelaide dentist, especially if you haven’t been to one in quite some time!

Stale breath

If you are experiencing persistently bad breath despite religious dental practices such as brushing and flossing, then this could be indicative of a more severe condition. Equally, if mouthwash and gum do not seem to be effectively eradicating stale or unpleasant breath, then you should certainly seek assistance from your local Adelaide dentist. 

If you’re a smoker

Smoking can seriously deteriorate your teeth and have a genuinely disastrous effect on your overall mouth health. A smoker should visit an Adelaide accredited professional dentist every four months for an inspection to rule out gum disease and screen for symptoms of gum cancer.

If your immune system isn’t 100%

Illnesses such as diabetes that compromise your immune system may cause your mouth to be more susceptible to infection. If old age is starting to compromise your immune system, then you should certainly visit a dentist regularly, especially since some infections can present as painless and invisible.

There’s a reasonable chance that either yourself or a close family member will require a checkup in the foreseeable future, so call the experts in gentle patient care at Royal Park Dental Adelaide and make sure your mouth is the best it can be.