Staying on top of your dental health is important and necessary for you to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Although it is advisable to visit your dentist at least twice a year, most people fail to check in even once, therefore exposing themselves to various dental risks which if not detected earlier on, can become severe, requiring invasive treatments to treat or manage.
Dental clinics can sound scary especially to someone who has never stepped into one. If you are looking to try out Dental Hygiene Services, you must find a dentist you can trust and feel comfortable around. In this article, we will provide an overview of what to expect at your next dental check-up.
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Reception
Once you have booked your appointment and arrived at the dentist, you are checked in by the receptionist and directed to have a seat. Depending on the dentist you visit, you will be offered a questionnaire to establish a few things about your health.
If you are visiting for the first time, you will be required to disclose your health history. When answering these questions (which might include any conditions you have or have had in the past), always be candid and provide as much information as possible. You should inform them of any medication you may be taking just to have your bases covered in case of any allergies to certain drugs.
Consultation
After filling the questionnaire, you are then directed to the dentist’s office for a consultation. The dentist will use this time to understand more about you and your health condition, especially if you’ve not had a check-up with them before. Since most dental problems stem from health conditions in our bodies, dentists use this information to ascertain if you are at risk of any major dental issues.
You may be expected to disclose any lifestyle habits like smoking, alcohol, or consumption of too much sugar to help the dentist provide a good evaluation. However, no one will press you for information that is not relevant to your dental wellbeing.
Teeth Cleaning
A regular dental checkup includes teeth cleaning by a dental hygienist or a dentist. Teeth cleaning is important for the following reasons:
- Removes plaque – This is the sticky clear layer full of bacteria responsible for the formation of tartar that corrodes both your teeth and gums. When ignored for too long, plaque can cause severe damage to your teeth that can be tough to remove with regular brushing.
- Removes tartar – In most cases, due to delayed visits to the dentist, plaque may have already formed into tartar which places your teeth at risk of corrosion. With special tools and equipment, this thorough cleaning can help remove most if not all of the tartar from the lining of your gums.
- Cleans between your teeth – Thorough brushing and flossing are often advised to help remove particles stuck between your teeth. Teeth cleaning helps remove any food particles that flossing may have left behind.
As the dental hygienist completes the scaling and polishing of your teeth, they will prepare a report about your dental status to help the dentist provide the necessary recommendations. The report will include any cavities, swelling on the gums, gaps between teeth, and the condition of your tongue, and throat.
X-ray and Evaluation
Depending on the report of your dental condition, your dentist will recommend an x-ray exam to be done to determine any underlying issues. This dental exam is not harmful and rarely has any side effects on your health. However, pregnant women may be vulnerable to this type of radiation. The dental exam will usually focus on jaw alignment, the structure of the roots, and cracked teeth or decay that may be impossible to see otherwise.
The dentist will then evaluate the images obtained from the x-ray exam to help establish the problems you might be suffering from. Things like cavities, gum diseases, and even oral cancer can easily be identified through the x-ray exam, helping the team provide the needed treatments.
Treatments and Recommendations
The dentist will usually provide a customized treatment plan in case you are at risk of or suffering from dental conditions. At this stage, you will be put under the necessary medications to combat the specific condition you have. Also, the dentist will recommend the best way to maintain a proper dental cleaning routine that involves both brushing and flossing. Dentists might also recommend products that can help you achieve your dental goals.
Your dental health is as important as your overall health. To ensure that you avoid any complications that might lead to a dental emergency, keep a daily dental routine that will help keep infection at bay and schedule dental checkups after every 6 months.
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