Routine dental checkups are not something that most people tend to go through. While people make it a point not to miss their regular medical checkups, the oral cavity is often neglected. However, to ensure that your teeth and gums are maintained in optimal health, it is important to make regular dental visits. It is recommended to have a dental checkup done every six months to ensure no serious problem arises. This also ensures that in the case of a problem, prompt intervention can be sought before things get out of hands. Most people tend to be rather nervous and stressed when asked to take dental consultations. There seems to be quite a bit of fear associated with dental visits. If you want to ensure that this is not something you have to face, it is advisable that you acquire information regarding the experience that awaits you during your dental visit.
What is done during a regular dental checkup?
There are a lot of things which are done when you make a regular visit to a dentist. Checking for tooth decay is one of them. The dentist will have to examine your gums to ensure that they are healthy and do not require further attention. A head and neck examination is also performed to ensure there is nothing out of the ordinary that needs to be focused on. The mouth is examined for indications of any problems such as vitamin deficiencies and oral cancer. At times, your dentist might also examine your face, saliva, and lower jaw joint movements.
Once the examination is complete, the dentist would proceed to clean your teeth. You would also be advised to maintain optimal oral hygiene. Exquisite attention is given to plaque and tartar which tend to form within a short span if optimal oral hygiene is not maintained. Plaque can also lead to the irritation of the gum tissue and subsequently to other gum diseases. Therefore, a dentist would ensure that there is no plaque formation in your oral cavity that needs to be treated.
Most people tend to have a misconception that dental checkup is related to the examination of teeth alone. However, this is far from reality. Your face, head, neck, gums, and bite are also assessed during regular dental visits. Once the examination is complete, the dentist would take X-rays of your oral cavity to detect the presence of any underlying pathology.
Cleaning the teeth
Regular brushing and flossing are something that should be done by everyone. Once the dentist is done with your examination, he tends to clean your teeth while educating you on the importance of maintaining oral hygiene and how it should be done. It is important to maintain oral hygiene as this can save you from a lot of trouble. Tooth pain, once developed, can be rather problematic. Therefore, one should endeavor to ensure that oral care is given adequate importance.