What to Expect at a Dental Visit
Your dental office is your front line of defense against diseases of the teeth, mouth, jaw and even face. If you have a problem with one of these areas or experience of trauma, your dentist is there to help! Prevention is the name of the game and your dentist will help you learn how to best care for your teeth at home so they stay healthy and in great shape between visits to your dental office. Let’s talk about what you can expect when you visit your dentist for routine checkups and treatment.
What to Expect at the Dentist
Most people rely on their dental office mainly for routine, preventative cleanings but your dentist will also provide any restorative treatment that you may need like fillings, crowns, or dentures. If you require treatment that your dentist cannot perform such as a root canal or tooth extraction, they will refer you to a specialist for treatment.
For your routine cleanings, your dental hygienist will use tools to manually scrape stuck on plaque and tartar below the gum line where your toothbrush and floss do not reach. Once a year, they will measure your gum pockets to make sure that they are in a healthy range of 1 to 3 millimeters deep. Gum pockets that reach beyond four or 5 millimeters are considered unhealthy and treatment may be advised.
You may also be asked to have x-rays taken of your posterior teeth once a year and a full set of x-rays, which includes the anterior teeth as well, every 7 years. After your cleaning is complete and x-rays have been updated, your dentist will come in to do a oral exam in which they will look at your gum tissue and other soft tissue as well as your teeth, their alignment, and your bite.
How often should I visit my dentist?
Unless you have extenuating circumstances, it is recommended that you visit your dental office every six months for a routine professional cleaning. Such circumstances could include:
- Patients who have had or currently have gum disease
- Patients who suffer from diabetes or have a weakened immune system
- Pregnant women
- Smokers
- Patients who are genetically predisposed to gum disease
- Patients taking medication that causes dry mouth
These patients may be advised to see their hygienist every 3 to 4 months as opposed to every 6. These visits will help prevent disease and catch decay before it turns into something bigger.
If you have dental insurance, they may only cover two cleanings per year but some insurance companies will cover more with a letter from your dentist explaining why it is medically necessary. If your insurance company will not cover extra cleanings, speak with your dental office to see if they have financing options available. It is important to follow through with recommended treatment to prevent larger expenses down the line.
More on General Dentistry : What Does a Dentist Do?