Dental Checkups: What to Expect and Why They Are Necessary
For some people, dental visits are only considered when there is a nagging dental problem such as a toothache. This shouldn’t be the case since your oral health affects your overall well-being. Dental issues such as gum disease have been linked with severe diseases such as diabetes, hence the need to maintain your oral health.
Practicing proper oral hygiene plays a fundamental role in your oral health, but it doesn’t stop here. Regular dental checkups go hand in hand with your daily oral habits. For optimal oral health, we recommend having at least two dental visits a year.
A checkup is essential since it allows our dentist to assess the state of your oral health and rectify any issues before they escalate. Without further ado, let’s go over what to expect at a regular dental checkup.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
As you already know, dental appointments aren’t only about fixing issues but also preventing them. The whole point is to ensure that your oral health is in tip-top shape.
Typically, if you visit our dentist every six months or twice a year, your dental health will be maintained at an exceptional level. However, suppose you are undergoing a dental procedure such as orthodontic treatment or any restorative procedure. In that case, you might need to see our dentist more frequently so that your progress can be monitored.
However, a routine dental checkup will involve three aspects:
- An Extensive Neck and Head Examination
During your initial visit, our dentist will begin by conducting a thorough examination of your head and neck. This means that your face, neck, temporomandibular joint, and lymph nodes will be checked for any abnormalities and swellings.
Our dentist will be able to catch any cancerous growths or determine if anything is out of place that needs to get checked out.
- A Thorough Oral Examination
Your overall oral cavity will be examined. This includes your teeth, gums, lips, and the entire oral cavity. The whole point is to check for cavities, periodontal diseases, damaged teeth, tooth decay, worn-out fillings, tongue abnormalities, your bite, and your dental appliances. X-rays may be taken to have a more detailed look at your oral cavity.
During this examination, our dentist can help catch issues, such as oral cancer, before they take root and become difficult to manage.
- Thorough Dental Cleaning
The final stage of your checkup would be to get a comprehensive dental cleaning from our dentist. It is essential to brush and floss your teeth each day; however, a professional dental cleaning does much more.
A professional cleaning is beneficial since it allows our dentist to stop bacterial growth in your mouth and prevent dental issues such as tooth decay or gum disease.
This process involves the removal of plaque and tartar, polishing your teeth, and cleaning your gums. You can also receive a fluoride treatment to help keep your teeth healthy. In the process, our dentist will help you improve your brushing and flossing techniques.
Why Is It Necessary?
Other than receiving a thorough oral exam, dental checkups boast of the following benefits:
- Addressing Cosmetic Dental Issues
Regular dental checkups give our dentist the chance to revamp your smile. There is no better time to float the idea of improving your smile than when you are having a checkup. This is when you get to see the amazing cosmetic dentistry services we offer, such as professional teeth whitening.
- Keeping Cavities and Tooth Decay at Bay
As you already know, dental visits come with a professional cleaning. This gives our dentist the chance to remove food debris from the hard-to-reach areas between your teeth. These areas are vulnerable to tooth decay since cavities can easily form over time.
- Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease has a way of sneaking up on you. So, during a checkup, our dentist can check your gums and ascertain whether your gums are healthy. Dental checkups allow our dentist to address the symptoms of gum disease before they escalate.
At South Hadley Dental Group, we are all about improving your oral health. Contact our dentist today to book an appointment.