How often should I see the dentist?
Most people should see the dentist twice a year. A hygienist and a dentist typically see patients during a check-up. The hygienist cleans and polishes your teeth and answers your questions. The dentist examines your gums and teeth, identifies any oral health issues, orders X-rays (if needed), and recommends therapy. Check-ups are crucial for cleaning and early detection of issues.
Why should I visit the dentist twice a year?
So your dentist can look for issues you can’t see or feel. To identify early indicators of decay (decay doesn’t show up or hurt until it’s progressed). Treat any other oral health issues. The sooner an issue is identified, the better.
What do I need to tell a new dentist on my first visit?
Your new dentist will want to learn about your dental health so they can detect changes or issues sooner. Preceding an evaluation of your oral health, the dentist will inquire about your overall health. He or she will touch on:
- Medications/history: Your dentist will ask whether you have any conditions. Tell your dentist about all of your health concerns, not just those that concern your mouth. Diabetes, for example, increases the risk of gum disease and may need a different anesthetic or treatment method. Bring a list of your current medications and their doses. A dry mouth might raise your risk of cavities. Your dentist needs to know your medications to avoid prescribing a drug that might interfere with one you currently use and to adjust anesthetic if required.
- Dental health now: Tell your dentist if you have a new cavity, sensitive teeth, lumps or bumps, or any other oral health problems. Notifying your dentist of any symptoms may help them establish an early diagnosis.
- Dental phobias: Tell your dentist if you have any dental phobias. Dental treatments and pain management alternatives have evolved dramatically. Your dentist will explain techniques to reduce discomfort and increase comfort.
What occurs during an average check-up?
Typical dental checkup activities include:
Your dentist and dental hygienist will likely examine you. The hygienist will first examine your gums. (Hygienists cannot diagnose dental or gum disorders but can record them.) Hygienists clean and polish your teeth, educate you on how to care for your teeth and gums, and answer concerns regarding home care items. To diagnose oral cancer and other illnesses, your dentist will examine your gums and teeth, inquire about changes in your general health or medication usage, check the hygienist’s cleaning, search for indicators of mouth cancer and other diseases.
- Cleaning: While home tooth brushing and flossing can eliminate plaque, only a professional cleaning by your dentist or dental hygienist can remove hardened plaque (calculus or tartar). Most hygienists clean your teeth using metal hand devices. Some use ultrasonic scalers, which clean deep below and above the gum line. After cleaning, your teeth are polished to eliminate plaque and stains from the tooth surface. The polish is administered using a spinning rubber cup or brush connected to the dental hand piece. Based on your exam findings, your hygienist may provide you further home care advice. Ask your hygienist for brushing and flossing tips, as well as basic dental and gum care advice.
- X-rays: X-rays may be taken during your visit. Your dentist will determine how frequently you require X-rays based on your oral exam, dental history, and cavity risk.
Treatment suggestions: If your dentist discovers any oral health issues, he or she will advise you on the best course of action. These may include a referral to another oral healthcare professional, more diagnostic testing, or a recommendation to return for restoration treatment (such as fillings and crowns).
What is a full-mouth exam?
Comprehensive dental checkups look for tooth decay, gum disease, and the whole mouth, head, and neck. This sort of test is usually offered to new patients, but it should be given to long-term patients as well. The comprehensive exam may contain these tests:
- Head and neck: Your dentist will examine your head and neck for any issues, as well as any swelling or pain in your lymph nodes and salivary glands in your neck region. Your dentist will also check your temporomandibular joint (which links the jawbone to the skull). The tongue, inside lips, cheeks, and the floor and roof of the mouth are all soft tissues. Spots, lesions, wounds, swellings, and growths are checked. Any of these might be a sign of dental health The tonsils and the back of your throat will be examined. For example, red or swollen gum tissue that bleeds readily when gently probed is an indication of gingivitis. Your dentist may refer you to a periodontist if you have gum disease (dental gum specialist). You will be tested on your occlusion (how your upper and lower teeth meet). If your dentist needs to check your bite, they may ask you to bite into wax.
- Oral health checkups: Every tooth is examined for deterioration. Your dentist will most likely use an explorer to probe your teeth for cavities. (Decayed enamel is softer than healthy enamel when probed). Your dentist will also inspect any fillings, braces, bridges, dentures, crowns, or other restorations.
To check for tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues, your dentist will use X-rays.