Dental Check-Ups : What You Need to Know and Expect
A dental check-up is performed by your dentist so they can make sure you are in good oral health. They look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. This helps reduce many oral and overall health risks by allowing your dentist to detect and treat any issues early on.
Typically, an exam is done after your regular teeth cleaning; however, it can also be done without the cleaning, particularly if you are visiting your dentist for a specific concern.
What is preventive dentistry?
Preventive dental care is a combination of the daily care you do at home, like brushing and flossing your teeth, eating healthy, and getting regular dental checkups.
A regular dental checkup typically includes a teeth cleaning by a dental hygienist – a licensed healthcare professional who works closely with the dentist – as well as a dental exam by a dentist. We’ll talk more about what happens during a dental checkup below.
Regular dental checkups are important
Good oral health and overall health are linked
Studies show that oral health is closely tied to your overall health. For example, gum disease has connections to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. That’s why your dentist looks for signs of gum disease at every checkup.
Your dentist also checks for signs of cavities, dry mouth and oral cancer, which can all affect your health and well-being if they go untreated. So by keeping up with your preventive dental exams, you’re also taking care of your whole body.
Preventive dental checkups help catch teeth issues early
In some cases, symptoms of gingivitis, tooth decay and other conditions can be mild enough to go unnoticed. Regular preventive dental checkups help make sure issues are caught and treated as early as possible. That means regular dental care helps protect you from painful oral health issues and more expensive treatments later on.
Healthy teeth lead to a happy smile
One of the first things people notice about you is your smile. Basic oral health care like brushing, flossing and seeing the dentist regularly keeps your teeth as clean and healthy as possible – giving you the confidence to smile wider and more often.
How often should you go to the dentist?
You may be wondering: Do you really need to go to the dentist every six months? It depends. Typically, a dental checkup should be scheduled every six to 12 months, but your dentist will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan.
When to see the dentist in between regular teeth cleanings and checkups
Sometimes you might ignore a little bit of tooth sensitivity or pain – and hope it goes away on its own. But just like it’s important to keep up with regular dental exams, it’s also important to get dental issues checked as early as possible. Any pain or unusual bleeding in your teeth or gums when you eat, drink, brush or floss is a sign that it’s time to see a dentist. Other signs to watch out for include:
- Swelling or discoloration of your gums
- A lump, swelling or numbness in your jaw, cheek, lips, tongue or other areas of your mouth
- Loose teeth
- Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth that doesn’t go away
- Headaches that are typically worse when you wake up in the morning
Even if you take good care of your teeth and gums at home, it is still important that you visit your dentist regularly, as they are trained to detect problems you may not see or feel yourself. Follow your dentist’s recommendation for scheduling dental exams and checkups.
