What Is A Routine Dental Check Up?
Most people pay a visit to their dentist at least once a year for a dental checkup. But most patients are not fully aware of the dental treatment that is occurring while sitting in the dental chair. It can be stressful hearing the noises the dental tools make. However, if you have questions it’s a much better idea to ask your dentist any questions rather than skip on your dental checkups altogether. Frequent and regular dental checkups are crucial to ensure that your teeth and gums remain healthy. You can always look up ‘dental checkup near me’ and find a good office. In order to practice good dental habits, please make sure you are following the necessary steps below every night.
Step 1 Flossing: Flossing is an important part of dental hygiene. Flossing not only removes food from hard to reach places, such as in between your teeth, but it also prevents gum disease and makes teeth stronger.
Step 2 Brushing: Brushing not only keeps teeth clean, but it is the most vital form of dental hygiene. Brushing twice daily in a circular motion and emphasizing the brush on your back molars brings out the best in our teeth and neutralizes bad breath.
Step 3 Mouthwash: After flossing and brushing be sure to finish off with mouth wash. Not only does this leave an everlasting freshness in your mouth but it kills bad breath germs on the surface of teeth.
If this is your first time going for a routine dental checkup, here’s what you should expect.
Dental History
Once you arrive at your dentist’s office, you can expect your dentist to ask questions related to your medical history. Regardless of whether it’s your first or your tenth time visiting the dentist, they will inquire about any changes in your health. It is extremely important that you honestly tell your dentist about any health problems that you might have.
Teeth Cleaning
Once you’ve shared your medical history and other health concerns, your dentist will start treatment. They usually start by cleaning your teeth thoroughly. They scrape off any built-up plaque or tartar on your teeth or below the gum line. The cleaning process advances as they start flossing between all your teeth to get rid of any extra residue.
The cleaning process is then topped off by giving your teeth a very smooth and shiny finish. The dentist uses a tooth polisher with a spinning head and an abrasive paste. This polishing completely eliminates any signs of residue that were previously missed. By the end of this process, your teeth will be so smooth that no plaque or tartar will be able to collect there.
Oral Examination
Once your teeth have become squeaky clean, it will be time to assess any issues in your mouth. A metal probe with a tiny angled mirror will be used to take a proper look between your teeth and gums. It will also aid in the softening of the tooth enamel.
Your dentist will check to see if your gums are swollen in any area or if there are any sores or redness in your mouth. Lastly, they will measure the periodontal pockets of your mouth. These pockets are basically spaces between the upper part of the gum line and the area where the gum tissues attach to the tooth. Periodontal pockets are meant to be one or three millimeters deep, anything more can be a sign of gum disease.
Dental X-Rays
Another important part of the dental checkup is your dental x-rays. Your dentist will take x-rays of your mouth to identify if there are any problems below your mouth’s surface. The x-ray process consists of a special piece of plastic that contains an imaging machine. This is placed against your cheek to display images of your gum line and jawbones. Your dentist will check what’s going on in your mouth and treat it accordingly.
Treatment Advice
Once your dental exam has been completed, your dentist will know the exact problem and will suggest a course of treatment. Oftentimes, this leads to another dental appointment where your dentist will conduct the necessary procedure needed. Your dentist also might offer you advice as to what you can do at home to remedy the issue. It’s crucial that you pay attention to what the dentist says and put it into action.
You can find a good dentist for your oral check up by searching for ‘dental check up near me.’ At Maddison Ave we help many local patients as great North Las Vegas dental office for routine dental checkups and general dentistry procedures.
