Keeping the teeth healthy goes beyond brushing and flossing. For a person to have complete oral health care, regular dental checkups are needed. These checkups are essential for checking early signs of problems and for removing plaque and tartar buildup. It is important to find a dentist that can be trusted with all the procedures needed.
If you feel anxious or if it’s your first time to undergo a dental checkup, we at Retro Dental Highlands got your back! Here is a list of the processes normally included during a dental checkup to make you feel at ease by knowing the things to expect. Read on below:
What happens during a visit?
During a dental visit, it is necessary to discuss the patient’s medical history to their dentist. If there are any changes in the patient’s health status on the next visitation, the dentist must be informed.
- A dental cleaning will ensue. The dentist or dental hygienist will use tools to scrape off the plaque and tartar buildup on the surface of the teeth and below the gumline. Doing this will prevent the development of gum disease and cavities. A thorough dental cleaning can also remove the surface stains on the teeth, and eliminate bad breath.
- The teeth, gums, and mouth will be checked for underlying problems. Some dentists would check for TMJ issues. The patient will be thoroughly examined to spot tooth decay and early signs of gum disease.
- With the use of X-rays, the dentist will diagnose problems that cannot be detected easily. These are necessary for bone issues, impacted teeth, decay between teeth, cysts, and tumors. Do know that it depends on the patient’s age, symptoms, and risk of disease that a dentist will recommend an X-ray.
- The dentist will perform an oral cancer screening. The jaw and neck will be examined by the dentist to see if there are any lumps and other signs of cancer.
What happens after a visit?
Once these procedures are complete, the dentist will have enough information to make conclusions about a patient’s dental health. The dentist will inform the patient about what goes on inside their mouth and will advise on what to do next for the patient’s oral care at home. The patient must listen to the instructions given and put them into action for this ensures that there will be an improvement in the next checkup. Depending on the state of the patient, they might be scheduled for more procedures. Before leaving the office, the patient must ask questions about everything they need to know. This is the perfect opportunity for them to get to know the state of their oral health and to get clarifications on things they do not understand.
How long should a patient go in-between visits?
The duration between visits varies depending on the state of the patient’s oral health. If a patient has healthy teeth and gums, it will take them about 3-6 months for their next visit. However, if the dentist detects a problem, the next visit might come early.
Taking care of one’s teeth should not be compromised. Having them checked regularly reduces the risk of losing them and having complications. Here at Retro Dental Highlands, we offer Dental Cleanings & Checkups in Denver, CO to ensure that your oral health will be in the best condition. Find us at 3025 W. 38th Ave., Denver, CO 80211. Contact us to schedule an appointment.