Are you planning your first dental check-up at Cypress family dentistry? If so, it is important to know what things to expect beforehand.
Some people find themselves anxious about their dental visits. If this is the case for you, we advise you to share your concerns with your dentist. They might be able to help you feel more relaxed and comfortable by adjusting your treatment.
That said, let’s head straight to our topic: what is involved in a dental check-up?
What to expect during a Dental Check-up?
A dentist or hygienist will start your check-up with teeth cleaning. This often includes:
· Teeth and gum cleaning
· Removing of plaque and tartar
· Polishing your teeth
· Taking X-rays
After teeth cleaning, your dentist will perform the following exams:
· A quick dental check-up
· Check gums, throat, and teeth for any irregularities
· Review X-rays
· Discuss any additional dental work necessary
· Talk about your oral health and relevant habits
Your dentist may also ask about your health-related problems or medications (if you have any). This is because some medicines can affect a patient’s oral health. For example, patients with diabetes have a greater risk of gum disease. So they require additional oral care.
Moreover, some medications can cause a dry mouth condition, which can increase the risk of tooth decay. Health conditions, like arthritis, also cause oral health-related issues. For example, patients with arthritis are often unable to brush their teeth properly. Therefore, it’s important to let your dentist know about your medical health so that they can recommend alternate ways to manage good oral hygiene.
Your dentist may also counsel about your diet, tobacco consumption and other lifestyle choices that may affect your dental condition.
Dental X-ray
Dental X-rays can be a part of a dental check-up. This allows your dentist to know more about your mouth. This way, your dentist can diagnose a problem that isn’t visible during the dental exam.
X-rays aren’t a necessary part of every regular check-up. The dentist will only take X-rays of patients having a risk of certain oral complications. This is because too often, exposure to x-ray radiation can be harmful to health. So it is kept low. However, you can always talk to your dentist about it if you’re concerned.
Oral Cancer Exam
A comprehensive dental exam contains an oral cancer exam. During this check-up, your dentist will evaluate your oral health and check whether or not there is any sign of oral cancer. This involves examining a patient’s jaw, neck, cheeks, lips, and tongue.
Dental Impression
Sometimes, your dentist may recommend taking impressions of your jaws to produce a replica of your gums and teeth. This will allow your dentist to evaluate your bite in depth.
Results and advice
Once the dental check-up is finished, your dentist will give you details about your oral health and instruct you about your next steps. For example, sometimes, your dentist wants you to schedule a follow-up meeting for necessary dental work. In other cases, your dentist advises about at-home practices that can improve your oral health. In any case, it is essential to follow your dentist’s instructions. This will help you achieve optimum oral health.
