Besides flossing and brushing, having a regular dental checkup is critical to your overall health. During an appointment, you can expect to have a checkup and polishing. That keeps your teeth sparkling clean. You might want to have one every six months, but the number of visits depends on your health.
Many times, the hygienist and dentist work together to do the checkup. The hygienist might use a hand scaler to remove tartar from the teeth and between them. Next, it is time to polish the teeth, which might include using a brush. The hygienist might talk about hygiene issues found during that time. If necessary, the patient can learn how to take better care of the teeth.
The dentist and hygienist each look over the gums, teeth, and mouth. That way, these professionals can look for signs of issues, including gum disease or a cavity. The dentist might look for pockets between the gums and teeth, which can determine if there are cavities. The dentist can use a mouth mirror to look for other issues.
The exam also includes X-rays in many cases. That way, the dentist can find gum disease, decay, and other potential issues. X-rays let the dentist see things that are not visible to the naked eye. Catching these issues is the key to treating them as early as possible.
With a comprehensive exam, the patient will have more areas examined. That might include having more X-rays taken. The patient might also receive a thorough exam of the head, mouth, and neck. That allows them to look for oral cancer. The dentist can decide how often a patient needs to have a detailed exam of these areas.
Overall, health and oral health have a close link, meaning it is critical to talk to the dentist about any problems or concerns. That includes telling the dentist about new health issues, such as heart disease or diabetes. Patients might want to mention if they have dental anxiety. It is common to fear the dentist, but that should not stop patients from getting the necessary treatments. The dentist can work with the patient to help them stay more comfortable.
Patients might want to list out any supplements and medications taken. That includes how much of each gets taken. The dentist can go over that list during the appointment. If there are issues or changes, the patient should mention these to the dentist. Treating these issues early on is often crucial in stopping more significant problems later on.
It is vital to have a dental checkup every six months. If you have specific oral health issues, you might need to have them more often than that. Knowing more about the procedure helps you make a more informed decision. Making an appointment today is the first step in getting a healthier smile.
Request an appointment here: https://compassiondentistry.com or call Compassion Family Dentistry at (503) 445-9579 for an appointment in our Milwaukie office.
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