The Importance of Twice a Year Dental Visits

Many people, especially children are afraid to go for a dental checkup because the first three words that pop up in their minds upon hearing the word ‘dentist’ are shot, pain and drill. 

However, it is an absolute necessity to undergo oral checkups every six months for healthy maintenance of gums and teeth.  If additional help is needed, your dentist would suggest you setup a visit on a frequent basis.

Examining your teeth for any signs of tooth decay is only one part of a complete dental checkup.  Your dental hygienist or dentist might assess the condition of your gums, conduct a head and neck checkup for any anomalies, check for signs of oral cancer, vitamin deficiencies and diabetes. 

Your dentist may even check on the movement in the lower jaw joints (TMJs), face, saliva or the bite.

After cleaning your teeth, the dentist will stress on the importance of maintaining better oral health at home.  Most dentists pay extra attention to tartar and plaque.  The reason is because tartar and plaque could build up within a very short period if one fails to practice good oral hygiene between visits. 

 

Tobacco, beverages and food could stain your teeth.  If left unremoved, hardening of the soft plaque occurs on the teeth resulting in gum tissue irritation.  If this is left untreated, plaque would develop gum disease.

Halitosis which is referred to as bad breath could be caused by poor oral hygiene, food stuck in hard-to-reach areas within the teeth and gum disease.  Regular dental checkups and teeth cleaning are the effective ways to maintain better oral hygiene.  Also, they can be beneficial in identifying potential problems that you may have missed or not have known. 

Formation of cavities could damage your permanent teeth if the decay progresses continuously.  Early detection could help your dentist cure the condition before it goes too far.

There are several aspects in a dental examination.  The dentist will begin the head and neck examination as follows

• Checking your face
• Checking your neck
• Examining your lymph nodes
• Examining your lower jaw joints (TMJs)

This is followed by a clinical dental examination as follows

• Checking your gums and searching for any signs of gum disease
• Looking for loose teeth
• Checking the tissues inside your mouth
• Checking your tongue
• Examining your bite
• Checking for visual evidence indicating tooth decay
• Looking for broken teeth
• Looking for fillings that are damaged
• Checking for changes within the gums that cover the teeth
• Assessing the dental appliances that you possess
• Evaluating the contact within your teeth
• X-ray examination

Dental cleaning is the last procedure during your dental visit.  Your dentist would engage in cleaning your teeth using the following methods

• Checking on the cleanliness of your gums and teeth.
• Removing any tartar and plaque.
• Polishing the teeth.
• Flossing your teeth.
• Reviewing some recommended techniques related to flossing and brushing.

After the cleaning and examination, you will be notified about the health and condition of your gums and teeth with additional recommendations. Your oral health is a key factor to your overall health so make sure to visit your dentist at Trinity Dental Care at least twice a year. 

Make an appointment with us today to ensure your oral health and hygiene is the best it can possibly be.