Importance of Regular Dental Visits
Regular dental visits are crucial, as they help to keep both your teeth and gums healthy. During a dental checkup, your overall oral health will be thoroughly examined by a dental professional in order to detect any trouble areas as soon as they appear. A treatment plan will then be devised to maintain life-long health of your teeth and gums.
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Dental Checkup Procedure
Overall, a dental checkup procedure involves the following depending on your clinical situation:
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Face and neck are checked for swelling, inflammation, or symptoms of infection.
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Mouth tissue is analyzed for ulcers or discolorations.
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Jaw joint and bite are checked for problems.
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Gums and jawbones are checked for symptoms of gum disease, gingivitis, or bone disease.
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Teeth are inspected to detect any decay, cavities, plaque buildup, infections, or other problems.
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Any outlying concerns are addressed
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Benefits of Regular Dental Check-Ups and Cleanings
Visiting a dentist every six months may be daunting, but it is one of the most important health habits to keep up to. If you are wondering what is the point of regular dental checkups, here are a few of the benefits you get out of your visit to our dental office:​
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Plaque, tartar, and cavities. Even with daily brushing and flossing, it is impossible to completely remove plaque and tartar buildup in difficult-to-reach areas. With regular dental cleanings, tartar will be removed, thus preventing teeth erosion and cavities.
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Gum disease. The buildup of tartar and plaque can lead to erosion of the gum tissues! Tartar may cause infection, known as “gingivitis”, between the tooth and the gum, making the gum “pull away” from the tooth. As the condition progresses, the connective tissue between the tooth and the gum breaks down. To avoid such issues, regular dental check-ups are crucial in catching gingivitis before it gets out of hand.
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Keep bad habits in check. Numerous bad habits may negatively impact your oral health. Such habits include biting your nails or chewing ice, grinding teeth or clenching your jaw, brushing your teeth too hard, consuming particular foods and drinks, and smoking. During the dental exam, your dentist will evaluate any damage caused by these habits and inform you about proper dental care routines.
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Find problems under the surface with X-rays. With X-ray imaging, your dentist can see what is happening under the surfaces of your mouth and diagnose issues invisible to the naked eye. Such problems include impacted teeth, bone decay, tumors, and cysts.
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Head, neck, and lymph node check. Your dentist will examine your jaw, neck, and lymph nodes located below the jawline for any lumps, swelling, or other abnormalities. Detected abnormalities may signal a major health issue: your dentist will inform you if this is the case and refer you to the appropriate medical professional.
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Types of Dental X-Rays
We recommend that all new patients to opt for x-rays in addition to the examination, in the event that their most recent ones are older than several months. This will allow us to identify problems that the naked eye cannot identify, and enable us to build a detailed file on your dental health.
Types of Dental X-Rays
There exist several types of dental X-rays, each of which records a different view of your mouth. The most common dental X-ray procedures include:
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Bitewing. This X-ray technique involves biting on a special piece of paper so that your dental specialist will be able to see how well your upper and bottom teeth crowns match up. This procedure is commonly used to check for interdental cavities (cavities between teeth).
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Panoramic. For this procedure, the X-ray machine rotates around the patient’s head. This technique may be used to investigate jaw problems, check wisdom teeth, or plan for implants.
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Occlusal. Occlusal X-ray is performed to monitor the full development and placement of the teeth. It can also identify anatomical abnormalities with the palate or the floor of the mouth. Each X-ray captures the full arch of teeth in either the lower or upper jaw in one shot.
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Are Dental X-Rays Dangerous?
Dental X-rays do require low levels of radiation exposure. However, the amount of radiation is very small, so is the risk of potentially harmful effects – dental X-rays are considered to be completely safe.