Routine checkups are an essential part of keeping a healthy mouth. Still, a large portion of the population doesn´t go to the dentist´s office every year.
Regularly examining your teeth helps your dentist identify oral issues early. It can prevent you from even developing dental health issues in the first place.
Routine dental checkups also allow for simple, less-expensive treatment options.
Perhaps it´s been too long since your last visit to the dentist, or you might feel slightly doubtful or afraid of having someone work in your mouth.
Whatever your case, and to help assuage your concerns. Here, we´ll talk about everything you can expect from a routine checkup. Let´s begin!
Routine Checkup: 5 Simple Steps Towards Oral Health
Discuss your history
In case it´s your first visit, and before doing any further work. Dental professionals need to be aware of your medical history.
Knowing about all preexisting conditions (pregnancy, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, etc.) or medications allows them to avoid unwanted incidents. It´ll also let them provide any special cares you´d need.
At this stage, you should express any doubts or concerns you might have about your imminent dental checkup. It´s common to be afraid of visiting the dentist´s office.
Sometimes, everything patients need to dissipate their fears/anxieties is a little listening.
Thorough cleaning
Once clarified all your concerns, the first thing to work on is thoroughly cleaning your teeth.
Your dental hygienist will start scraping off tartar and plaque that might´ve built up above (and below) the gumline.
After this, they´ll remove the remaining plaque or food debris by flossing between (and around) each tooth.
Finally, they´ll use mild-abrasive toothpaste on a spinning-head tooth polisher. That´ll give your smile a smooth, shiny finish while preventing plaque buildup between checkups.
Dental exam
In this stage, your dentist will check the state of teeth enamel (and dentin) condition by using a metal tool with a small, angled mirror attached.
During this exam, dentists will also look for sores, redness, or swelling in your gums or any other areas of your mouth. Additionally, they´ll measure your periodontal pockets.
These are the spaces between your gumline and where your teeth are attached. Said spaces´ depth should be 1-3milimeters, and deeper periodontal pockets could indicate gum disease.
Routine dental exams also include checking your jawbone to ensure your bite´s aligned. Dentists will also look for jaw-clenching signs, such as worn teeth grooves and joint-clicking.
Results/advice
After your dental exam has been completed, your dentist will be able to determine your mouth´s condition and devise the best course of action.
Sometimes, they´ll only give you some mouth hygiene pointers that´ll let you improve your oral health at home. However, there´re times when other specific dental procedures are required.
In any case, it´s mandatory you listen and strictly follow your dentist´s advice.
Schedule future appointments
Once your dental checkup´s finished, your dentist will proceed to schedule your next appointment. Usually, your teeth condition will dictate how long until your next routine checkup.
Depending on how compromised your oral health is, the time between checkups could be as short as three months or up to 1 to 2 years.
Regular dental checkups will allow you to clarify any doubts regarding your dental healthcare at home. It´ll also let your dentist determine the best treatment options for you.
Get in contact with us and schedule an appointment. Our oral healthcare team will provide the best professional advice so you can keep a healthy smile!
