It has been said, “A smile is the prettiest thing you’ll ever wear.” Beyond that great thought is the truth that good oral health impacts your whole body, not just your smile. Regular dental checkups and good preventative dental care practices are central to good oral health. But sometimes there’s a need for a major dental care procedure.
How Many People See a Dentist Each Year?
Research indicates that about 68% of American adults reported seeing a dentist in 2024, and about 84% of adults reported that they planned to see a dentist in the coming year for routine or preventative care. A significant number of adults also had a major dental care procedure in 2024.
What is Considered Major Dental Care?
Dental procedures are generally split into three categories: preventative, basic, and major dental care services.
Preventative dental care services are intended to stop potential problems or correct them early to keep oral health in good condition. Preventative dental services include examinations along with routine x-rays, cleaning, fluoride treatments, and tooth sealing.
Basic dental care services are intended to be restorative, to fix damage that has already occurred. These are typically non-surgical procedures, including diagnostic x-rays, fillings, non-impacted tooth extractions, care for tooth/gum pain, periodontal scaling, and basic root canals.
Common major dental care services include crowns, bridges, inlays or onlays, implants, extraction of impacted teeth, denture work, orthodontic procedures like braces and retainers, and complex oral surgery.
Why Are Regular Dental Visits So Important?
Regular dental visits and routine check-ups are key to the early detection and prevention of major problems that could require additional procedures if left untreated. Preventative and general dental services will include:
- Early detection. Examinations are made to detect problems like cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer early before they become advanced, and thus more difficult and costly to treat.
- Prevention. By treating gum disease, for example, the risks of associated heart disease and other systemic diseases can be averted.
- Professional cleaning. Professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar buildup, which can’t be done effectively at home.
- Consultations about tooth whitening. A professional dentist is in the best position to offer advice about options for this popular practice.
- Specific advice. A dentist will offer experienced professional advice specific to your needs that you can trust.
How to Choose a Dentist
First, get recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues. You can review online ratings and reviews using sites like healthgrades.com or vitals.com.
Second, review their experience and credentials.
Third, understand their costs and ensure that they are in your insurance network.
Fourth, consider their location, operating hours, and availability.
Fifth, ensure that they offer an appropriate range of services, including major dental care services.
You can make an initial appointment to evaluate the dentist’s office. Is the office neat and appealing? Is the staff friendly, courteous, and professional? How does the dentist and the staff communicate? Do they have a proper emphasis on preventative care?
Seek Professional Dental Care
Contact Old Mt. Pleasant Dentistry, located right off Ben Sawyer Blvd. in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., for dental care you can trust. We use treatment plans that are practical using the most advanced technology. We offer caring routine dental care and procedures including extractions and root canals. To us, the patient is the most important person in the office.