Artificial intelligence [AI] is not in the future. The future is here. AI is now and it is pervasive in a wide range of areas not least in dentistry.

AI has many applications in dentistry including:

Identifying oral diseases such as tooth decay / cavities, endodontics, periodontal /gum disease, oral cancer, maxillary sinus diseases & TMJ disorders

Endodontics: AI can predict with precision a diagnosis & therapy for a diseased tooth. It can study the anatomy of the root canal system, pinpoint root fractures & lesions & calculate the success of retreatment procedures.

Treatment planning: AI can help dentists create more precise treatment plans & determine the best course of action for individual patients.

Dental imaging: AI can improve the accuracy of dental imaging & make it easier for dentists to see small details in images.

Patient communication: AI can help dentists communicate with patients in relation to scheduling, patient care, drug interactions, answering common questions & providing educational materials.

Overall, AI has the potential to improve the quality of dental care, increase efficiency and accuracy in diagnosis and treatment, and enhance patient experience.

The short answer to that is a resounding, yes. Visiting your dentist regularly is important for maintaining good oral health. Not everyone though needs a 6-month visit. If you brush at least twice a day and floss regularly on a daily basis, then chances are you only need to see your dentist once a year. Once a year is a regular visit, as long as you are consistent.

Regular dental check-ups can help prevent problems such as cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss, and can also detect early signs of other health issues.

At times you will hear Dr. Mikael recommend that you visit every six months, and sometimes more frequently. That is for patients who have acute problems that need attention more frequently, until the problem is under control. The patient can then have dental check-ups / dental examinations at longer intervals.

The important thing to remember is to be consistent in your visits.

Maintaining good oral hygiene takes among other things, regularly brushing your teeth. Tell me something I don´t know, you may say.

Dental associations around the world recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time. That means brush after breakfast for two minutes and again at night for another two minutes. That is a whopping four minutes out of your day and yet not everyone follows this recommendation. More people than you might think actually go through the day only brushing once. While that is better than not brushing at all which is essentially 2% of the population, it actually increases your chances of incurring costly dental treatment later on.

Brushing your teeth twice a day as is suggested by dental professionals has a few advantages, it saves the embarrassment of having bad breath and stained teeth.

By brushing only once a day:

1. Cavities are almost a certainty and that increases your risk by 33%. When you brush your teeth, it helps to remove food particles and the sticky substance containing bacteria that forms on your teeth called plaque. This bacteria-containing plaque produces acid which attack tooth enamel and if not removed causes cavities.

2. Increases your chance of getting gum disease – only brushing once every 24 hours creates a feast for the existing bacteria in your mouth. The plaque that isn’t removed hardens and becomes tartar which makes it harder to keep the teeth clean. Tartar build-up on your gums leads to inflammation and bleeding gums that causes gum disease. This is also known as periodontal disease.

3. Can lead to more dental treatment. Needing a one-off filling is one thing and can happen to the best of us, but brushing only once a day almost guarantees more fillings and bigger fillings. Sometimes the tooth is decayed to the point of needing root canal treatment or a crown. Those costs can be avoided by adding another two minutes a day to your brushing routine.

One of the best ways to care for your teeth and gums is simple. Regular brushing. And that means twice a day. After meals.

Adding flossing to your routine is also beneficial, but that is for another day.

We all know that a trip to the dentist is not anyone’s favourite pastime. There comes a time though when it becomes necessary either because of pain or discomfort. Before that happens, you might think about scheduling regular dental appointments for a dental examination / dental check-up and a dental cleaning / dental hygiene.

Prevent tooth decay and cavities: Regular visits to the dentist can help detect and prevent tooth decay and cavities in their early stages.

Maintain healthy gums: Dental check-ups can help identify and treat gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.

Catch oral cancer early: Oral cancer screenings are an important part of a dental check-up, as early detection is key to successful treatment.

Keep teeth and gums clean: A professional cleaning at the dentist can remove plaque and tartar build-up that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Maintain overall health: Poor oral health has been linked to several other health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Regular dental check-ups can help identify and treat any oral health issues that may be related to these conditions.

Save money: Regular dental check-ups can help prevent the need for more expensive treatments in the future.

A practice of making a dental appointment frequently, ensures that any issues you may have can be resolved before it progresses to a major problem.