What to Expect from your Dental Checkup

In order to keep your mouth in optimal health, it’s important to schedule regular dental checkups. Most dental insurances cover a checkup every six months. These checkups allow your dentist to help prevent cavities and other more serious problems as well as catch these problems if they do occur while they are still easy to manage.

If you’re planning on coming to these checkups, you probably want to know what to expect from them. Or, if you’re planning them for your child, you should help them understand what to expect at their appointment.

Thorough Cleaning

At each dentist checkup, the hygienist will give your teeth a thorough cleaning. This includes brushing, flossing, scraping away plaque and tartar buildup, and getting the hard-to-reach places below the gum line and in between your teeth.

Depending on your needs and your dentist, you may even receive fluoride and a teeth polishing.

X-Rays

X-rays don’t need to happen with every checkup, but they are a common occurrence on dental checkups, especially if you’ve been experiencing any pain in your mouth.

The dentist or hygienist will take x-rays of both sides of your mouth to help the dentist check for problems that might go unnoticed otherwise.

Full Exam

After your cleaning and x-rays, the dentist will do an exam on your teeth. At this time they will examine each tooth and check for any cavities or abnormalities.

They will give you recommendations on what you can do to improve or maintain your dental health, as well as help you determine the best way to move forward if you have cavities or another dental problem.

If there is ever anything you don’t understand during your appointment, make sure to ask questions. Your dentist and hygienists are there to help you.

If it’s time for another checkup, you can always call Family Dental Health Center to schedule your next appointment.