Important Parts of a Routine Dental Checkup

Everyone's dental checkup may vary according to what the dentist will perform. However, it always has basic parts. These crucial parts ensure you maintain good oral health and prevent dental issues. For example, brushing and flossing help keep plaque and tartar levels low. Yet, professional cleaning during your dental checkup can remove these tooth-decaying substances. Here are the details if you are interested in the important parts that make up a routine dental checkup.

Dental X-rays

When a patient undergoes a dental checkup, a dentist will take detailed X-rays of their jaw, teeth, and gums. A dental imaging exam helps dentists see beneath the surface of the patient's teeth and gums. The X-rays reveal the general health of the patient's mouth. If there are issues like impacted teeth, tooth decay, infection, or dental shifting, the dentist will spot them immediately. Even if these quick-acting diseases are present, the dentist would be able to see and treat them right away.

Thorough visual inspection

A dental checkup is an opportunity for a dentist to inspect a patient's oral cavity. First, a comprehensive surface examination of teeth and gums takes place. This part of the dental checkup is where the dentist identifies all the possible dental issues that the patient may not notice in their day-to-day routine. The dentist will search for problems like gum infections, misalignment, decay, and damaged crowns or fillings. After the visual exam, the dentist will recommend treatments in the future. For example, if patients need a filling, they must schedule an appointment to prevent further tooth decay.

Plaque and tartar removal

Even if the patient brushes more than two times a day and flosses at least once daily, plaque and tartar still form on the teeth. Eventually, plaque forms and hardens into tartar. Brushing alone cannot remove tartar. Instead, the dentist has a scaler, which removes the hard tartar. With scaling, the dentist can prevent a patient from developing gum disease, inflammation, cavities, and bleeding.

Professional dental cleaning

After scaling the patient's teeth, the dentist will clean the patient's teeth with a high-power rotating toothbrush and gritty toothpaste. This dental cleaning strips off food particles and the remaining plaque and tartar on the patient's teeth. The gritty toothpaste helps polish the patient's teeth. When brushing is complete, the dentist will floss the patient's teeth. After rinsing thoroughly, the patient can sit back as the dentist applies a fluoride coating. The purpose of the fluoride coating is to protect the teeth from decay.

Screening for oral cancer

Usually, oral cancer screening only happens occasionally during each dental checkup. However, early detection of this disease is crucial in preventing cancer from getting worse. Therefore, patients should ask about oral cancer screening during the checkup. That way, dentists can help detect early signs of the disease and even make a referral to another dental professional who specializes in the condition. In addition, oral cancer screening only takes minutes to complete.

How often to go in for a dental checkup

It is commonly said that people should see a dentist twice a year. However, this depends on personal dental habits and general oral hygiene. There is no one-size-fits-all cleaning and checkup plan. There are many factors to keep in mind, such as:

• Lifestyle: Patients who drink or smoke may need to see their dentist more often.
• Dental habits: If patients are consistent with their oral hygiene, such as brushing and flossing daily, they may only need to see their dentist periodically.
• Biology: Family history plays a part in oral health as well. Patients with a history of oral diseases in their family may need more attention from their dentist.

Keeping a regular schedule of dental appointments is crucial to prevent future dental problems and protect oral health. Patients who have questions about the frequency of visits should talk to their dentists. They may recommend sooner than six months. However, they may also recommend a later date if the patient maintains healthy dental habits.

A comprehensive dental checkup can transform your oral health

Consistently attending dental checkups allows you to maintain a healthy mouth. Your dentist can detect and treat early signs of dental diseases, including oral cancer, and perform simple procedures that clean and protect your teeth with specialized tools and dental care products. If you need more tips for better oral health, your dentist will be happy to share some with you during your dental checkup.

Request an appointment here: https://www.gentletouchdentalcare.com or call Gentle Touch Dental Care at (718) 924-2387 for an appointment in our Forest Hills office.

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