A Patient’s Guide to A Routine Dental Checkup

A Patient’s Guide to A Routine Dental Checkup, updated 4/26/21, 11:57 AM

A routine dental checkup, which involves the examination of your teeth, gums, and mouth, will help prevent minor problems from becoming serious and even life-threatening.

Experts recommend at least 2 visits per year, which when supported by good oral hygiene at home, can keep you healthy.

https://sunrise-dentistry.com/blog/a-patients-guide-to-a-routine-dental-checkup/

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A Patient’s Guide to A
Routine Dental Checkup
B L O G | S U N R I S E D E N T I S T R Y
https://sunrise-dentistry.com/
Having to visit a dentist every 6
months may not be the appointment
that everyone is excited about. But
have you ever wondered why experts
made this recommendation?
A dental exam is crucial for the
maintenance of healthy gums and
teeth.
Why Should You Do A Routine
Dental Checkup?
1. Plaque, Tartar, and Cavities
Even if you are diligently brushing
and flossing your teeth, there are still
small areas in the mouth that are
missed during cleaning. When plaque
starts to buildup, they will solidify
and turn into tartar, which is more
difficult to remove without the help of
a dentist.
Cavities also rarely give any warning
signs as they form. You will feel pain
only once the tooth is already
decayed. A repair can only be done
using fillings.
2. Gum Disease
Plaque and tartar do not only cause
tooth decay. It can also erode gum
tissues and cause infection. This
condition is known as gingivitis.
You will more likely experience
pain, swelling, soreness in the
mouth, and bleeding. You may also
see teeth loosening.
Drastic treatment methods and
medications are often needed in
these situations, which are much
more expensive than a routine dental
exam.
3. Bad Habits
Some habits can negatively impact
your oral health. Do you like chewing
ice and sticky sweets? Do you bite
your nails or grind your teeth? How
often do you drink coffee? Do you
smoke?
When you go for a routine dental
exam, your dentist can check for any
damage caused by these destructive
habits, which you may have missed.
Aside from fixing the damage that
has already been done, a dental visit
will encourage you to change your
lifestyle to prevent future problems.
4. Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is an extremely
dangerous condition that can
manifest in several ways. Without
knowing the early signs and
symptoms, it will not be diagnosed
and may progress to an advanced
stage quickly. With regular dental
checkups, your dentist will most
likely catch oral cancer in time.
5. Problems Under the Surface
Routine dental checkup allows
dentists to see what is happening
beneath the surfaces of your mouth
through the use of an X-ray.
Common findings include impacted
teeth, damage to the jawbone, bone
decays, cysts, and tumors.
6. Head, Neck, and Lymph Node
Checks
Aside from checking your teeth,
gums, and tongue for signs of oral
cancer, your dentist will also
check your neck, jaw, and lymph
nodes, located just below your
jawline for lumps, swelling, or
other abnormalities.
If there is a sign of a major health
issue, your dentist will recommend
you to visit a medical specialist
immediately.
What Happens During A Routine
Dental Checkup?
History Taking
Before anything is performed inside
your mouth, a hygienist will ask about
your medical history, especially if this
is your first appointment with them.
If you have been to the clinic before,
any changes in your health status
should be noted, including the use of
new medications and pregnancy.
This is very important to avoid
possible complications during dental
treatments and to make sure you get
the best care you need.
Let your dentist know if you are
experiencing dental anxiety. It is very
important to make you feel relaxed
and comfortable during your
checkup.
While not every dentist operates the
same way, a dental checkup would
normally involve:
Cleaning and Polishing
Your dentist will use a special
instrument known as a hand scaler to
scrape and remove dirt from your
teeth. Polishing is next, using a brush
to get rid of any stains.
Education
After teeth cleaning, your dentist will
discuss any dental problems and
suggest treatment options. He or she
will also give you tips on how to brush
and floss your teeth more effectively.
Examination
Your teeth, gums, and mouth are
examined for signs of a cavity, gum
disease, or oral cancer.
During the evaluation, your dentist
may also use a special probe to
measure the “pockets” between your
gums and teeth, an explorer to poke at
the enamel, and a mouth mirror to get
good views of your teeth and mouth at
different angles.
Based on findings, your dentist may
suggest specific treatment or may
refer you to a specialist like a
periodontist or an orthodontist.
X-rays
At some of your checkups, your
dentist may request an X-ray to check
for decay, impacted tooth, and other
dental problems that cannot be seen
using the naked eye.
You will also probably have a
comprehensive examination if this is
your first time to visit a dentist, and
periodically thereafter.
This includes a thorough examination
of the head, mouth, and neck.
Start talking to a professional about
any problems or changes you have
noticed with your teeth, gums, and
tongue now.
Visit a holistic dental center like
Sunrise Dentistry for basic
preventative care and routine dental
checkups.
Call us now at (970) 247-3303
to schedule an appointment.
dale@durangolive.net
EMAIL ADDRESS
(970) 247-3303
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https://sunrise-dentistry.com/
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