Everyone deserves a great smile. A regular dental check-up is a key to having one. 

A dental check-up is your regular visit to your dentist for an oral status assessment. Doing so will help your dentist know what treatments to give you in preventing oral health problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and cavity build-up. Therefore, you need to ensure that you get a dental check-up twice a year, as per the dentists’ advice.

However, going to the dentist can be daunting, especially when you’re a first-timer or have done one a long time ago. Some people enjoy their appointment with their dentist, but others tend to get frightened about it. 

Knowing what things are bound to happen and taking a look at what happens during a dental check-up would help you get loose from this anxiety and help you get started. 

If you’re about to attend your dental appointment soon or are planning to have one, here are the five things to expect at your next dental checkup. 

• A Little Discussion About Your Medical History

Whether it’s your first time or not, discussing your medical history with your dentist is very important. 

During this time, you and your dentist will discuss your medical issues, especially when you have diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, anxiety, or you’re pregnant. They’ll also ask you about your current prescriptions, maintained pills, and the over-the-counter medicines you’re taking. Knowing these things is truly essential for your oral health treatment. 

It’d also be best to inform your dentist about certain oral concerns such as sensitivity and pain. You should also discuss your queries and clarifications during this session to eliminate any misinformation, doubts, and even fear of being in the dentist’s chair. 

• Deep Cleaning Done By The Dental Hygienist

Deep cleaning would automatically follow as soon as the medical history discussion is done.

Though daily brushing helps you clean your teeth daily, it doesn’t guarantee you a 100% plaque-free mouth. Leftover plaques will turn into tartar, leading to serious oral problems. That’s why your dental hygienist will perform prophylaxis, commonly known as deep cleaning. This process will use different sets of dental instruments to get rid of plaque build-up, scrape down dirt, and remove tartar on your teeth and gum line. 

Though this process isn’t as painful as you think, you still need to inform your hygienist if you’re feeling any pain or discomfort. Doing so will help them achieve the best possible result as well. No need to worry because you’ll have short breaks during the process, allowing you to wash your mouth when needed. 

After thoroughly cleaning, they’ll polish your teeth and remove stubborn stains. Lastly, they’ll floss each tooth carefully and give you a fluoride rinse for a nice and clean mouth. 

• X-rays

Truth is, there’s always a possibility for an underlying issue to stay present amidst the non-visibility to your naked eye. This is why dentists recommend getting dental x-rays once a year to solve this dilemma.

Dental x-rays start with your dentist asking you to bite down on a dental plastic. After this, an x-ray unit will be placed up against your cheek for a couple of minutes and have pictures taken. 

X-ray photos will then show the roots of your teeth, even below your jawbone and gum line. Doing so will help your dentist identify problems such as cavities and hairline cracks. This will then allow your dentist to recommend you the appropriate treatment plans for these early problems and prevent them from turning into more severe issues. 

• Full Dental Examination

After the thorough cleaning, it’s time for a dental examination. 

Some opt to skip this process, thinking it’s something that they don’t need. However, you need to realize that a dental exam is as important as the other treatments you’ll need to undergo. Your dentist will be searching for any signs of threats to your oral health. They’ll also be scanning the results of your x-ray test and will warn you if there’s a problem that needs to be treated.

Not just that, your dentist will also check your bite, making sure that you don’t have any clicking in your joints or possible disproportionate catches. Your dentist will use a special device to take measurements of your teeth gaps and packets. These measurements are essential in your treatment’s progress over time. 

Another critical factor to check during the dental examination is the screening for oral cancer, which should be done yearly. This test is a thorough examination of your mouth and tissues, checking to find any indication of oral cancer. Your lips, cheeks, tongue, hard palate, gums, and mouth floor will be thoroughly checked as well because just like any other type of cancer, the sooner it’s detected, the earlier will you be able to get it treated. 

• Advice And Next Appointment Setting

When your dental examination is finished and completed, your dentist will now discuss your test results and the treatments you’re advised to undergo. This will also allow you to ask questions about the treatment and clarify any uncertainties. Keep in mind to never be scared or shy of asking questions as this will help you have improved oral health. 

Aside from the discussion of test results, your dentist will also teach you the measures you can do to improve your dental health while waiting for your next visit. You’ll be taught how to brush and floss your teeth correctly. They’ll also help you set a solid oral hygiene habit.

It’s of utmost importance that you take note of these advised practices to maintain your healthy teeth in-between visits. 

And you just didn’t realize it; your dental check-up is over!

Conclusion

Indeed, dental check-ups can be overwhelming. There’ll be fears and panics haunting your mind. However, when you exactly know what to expect during one, you’ll never be as scared as you know what procedures are bound to happen during your appointment. 

It’s best to keep in mind that dental check-ups are essential to maintain healthier oral health. Doing so will allow you to have cleaner teeth and mouth, detect any signs of oral cancer, and prevent the severity of minor dental problems.