The Importance of Regular Dental Examinations     Why does your dentist want to schedule another appointment with you so soon - even if today's oral examination was perfect? Regular dental visits are essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. For maximum benefit, a good home care regimen must be supplemented with an examination at least every six months. Depending on the status of your oral health, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits. Several months after cleaning, teeth can have plaque build-up as well as stains from food, beverages, tobacco, etc. Over time, plaque build-up can harden into tartar (or calculus) formation. Checking your teeth for decay is only a small part of a thorough oral exam. During each visit, your dentist (or dental hygienist) will also: check your gums (gingiva) for inflammation, tooth mobility and pockets; examine your mouth for indications of possible cancer, diabetes and vitamin deficiencies; and note any irregularities in your facial structure, bite, saliva and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Your dentist or hygienist will clean your teeth and encourage you to maintain good oral hygiene. So now you know!