Complete Checkups

Keeping the teeth clean and healthy is important. It can prevent the onset of a wide range of dental problems which are not only painful, but also very annoying. We brush and floss twice a day because we’re afraid of getting tooth decay and gum disease. But even these practices aren’t enough to maintain excellent oral health. You also need regular dental checkups.

During Your Visit

When you come for your appointment, your dentist will take a complete history of your health. The dental hygienist will do a thorough cleaning of your teeth and will scrape along and below your gum line to get rid of plaque and tartar which, if not removed will cause bad breath, cavities, gum disease and other issues. Your teeth will then be polished and flossed afterwards.

Your dentist will also perform a full dental examination. your dentist will check your teeth, gums and all areas of your mouth to look for signs of problems. We will take an X-ray of your mouth to diagnose problems that cannot be seen by the naked eye such as abscess, impacted teeth, cysts, tumors, or tooth decay.

Then based on the findings of the checkup, your dentist will give recommendations for the treatments that are needed to keep your teeth and gums healthy. We may also recommend cosmetic dental procedures to improve your smile.

Comprehensive Dental Checkups

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a complete dental checkup is the extensive assessment and recording of all intraoral, extra oral and soft tissues of the patient. They recommend that a complete checkup should be performed for all new patients and at least every 3 years for old patients. It includes the following:

• Evaluation of the gums, gum line and bones supporting the teeth
• Evaluation of upper and lower set of the teeth
• Head and neck exam
• Bite analysis
• TMJ exam
• Xrays
• Esthetic and smile assessment

Advice for New Patients

Some people are afraid to see a dentist. Somehow they associate dental visits with pain. But new innovations in dentistry have made dental procedures virtually pain-free and more effective. If this is your first visit, please be assured that we always do our best to keep our patients comfortable. If treatment is necessary, we make it as pain-free as possible by administering anesthesia and sometimes even a sedative if the patient is really very anxious about the procedure.

The Importance of Your Regular Dentist Visit

Regular visits to your dentist are such an important part of maintaining good dental health and making sure your smile looks its very best. While one trip every six months doesn’t seem like a major thing, the fact of the matter is that your dentist does so much for you in a single dental visit, and these are the sorts of services that you cannot provide yourself in your own home.

Taking X-rays and Other Forms of Advanced Diagnostics

Dental x-rays allow your dentist to identify major and minor dental problems that you may be suffering from. The x-rays look at the structure of the teeth and the jaw joint, identifying problems with misalignment as well as deeper issues not visible at the surface. Having these x-rays added to your dental record helps track your health and overall wellness.

Professional Cleaning and Polishing

Professional cleanings get at all the hard to reach places that you may not be able to clean on your own. A dental hygienist and your dentist work together, flossing your teeth, polishing the teeth with an electric brush, and scraping little bits of plaque and tartar that may be lodged at or near the gumline.

Checking Your Teeth and Gums for Problems

While x-rays are key for deeper problems and structural issues, your dentist will also check your teeth and gums up close with his or her own eyes. Your dentist will note any poor alignment, odd coloration, lesions and cuts of the soft tissues of the mouth, and other possible irregularities that may be the sign of a dental health issue.

Discussing Your Dental Health Concerns

Meeting with your dentist regularly gives you a unique opportunity to discuss your dental health concerns with a professional. Be sure to share any problems you’ve been experiencing with your dentist, such as clicking in the jaw, persistent dry mouth, and even chronic bad breath. Your dentist will look into all of these matters since they may be signs/symptoms of a dental health or general health problem.

Making Treatment Plans for the Future

If you have a cavity, suffer from gum disease, have wisdom teeth coming in that ought to be taken out, or have some other need for advanced dental treatment, your regular visit is a great time to plan for these needs ahead of time. Your dentist will discuss future treatments with you in detail, in some cases referring you to a specialist who may best be able to address your treatment needs.

Sharing Tips for Great Dental Health

In addition to all of the above, your dentist is committed to your lasting health. You can often expect your dentist or a member of the dental care team to provide various tips for lasting wellness. This may include certain toothpastes or mouthwashes to consider or even what trends are going on in oral hygiene that can benefit you.