What to Expect During a Routine Dental Check-Up

It’s been refreshing to see a meteoric rise in recent years among individuals who pay extra attention to their dental and oral health. Aside from the health benefits, social media is flooded with influencers sporting pearly white smiles, making them more appealing. It’s never too late to get into the habit of caring for your teeth, and now is the best time to do so. To prepare for it, today’s article will guide you through what to expect during a routine dental checkup.

Initial consultation and assessment.

Dental check-ups usually begin with a brief consultation; at Ivanhoe Dentists, they will ask if you’re feeling any pain or issues with your teeth. You can also open up if you’ve had oral concerns—be it canker sores and dry mouth—so your dentist can have a general idea of what to look out for when checking your oral cavity. They usually follow up with a couple of questions regarding your oral hygiene and if you’ve been diligently brushing and flossing or if you’ve been taking any medications.

Dental examination.

After the consultation, your dentist will proceed with a thorough examination to check for potential issues. Some examinations they may perform on you include:

Visual examination. Your dentist would conduct a visual exam to check the condition of your teeth and gums, keeping an eye out for early signs of tooth decay, gum problems, or other oral health issues.

Dental x-rays. Dental X-rays allow your dentist to see a more detailed image of your teeth, gums, and jaw so they can make a more thorough inspection and see if there are any underlying issues like cavities, infections, and bone loss. 

Oral cancer screening. Dentists also conduct a quick oral cancer screening to see if there are any irregularities in your mouth, lips, and throat, which is why it’s crucial to attend your regular dental check-ups. On the off chance that you may have this disease, you and your dentist can make plans and decide on a treatment to address the issue early on.

Professional cleaning.

After your dental check-up, your dentist would usually conduct oral prophylaxis, commonly referred to as dental cleaning, to remove the plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and gums. After cleaning, your dentist will also polish your teeth to remove stains as a way to help prevent future buildup.

Additional or special services.

Once cleaning wraps up, your dentist may also offer you other services that can help enhance your smile or improve the condition of your teeth. Some of the more popular treatments are as follows:

Fluoride treatment. If you want brighter and stronger teeth, fluoride treatment helps prevent cavities by strengthening your tooth enamel.

Dental fillings. For those who have cavities, you can also opt to avail dental fillings to repair the damaged portion of your teeth.

Dental sealants. On the other hand, individuals who just want to have that extra layer of protection to their tooth enamel can opt to have a dental sealant applied to their chewing surfaces.

Root canals. Finally, there are also root canals where the dentist not only fixes your damaged teeth but also prevents infection.

To wrap it up, a routine dental check-up is necessary to not only keep your smiles bright but also ensure that your oral cavities are in good shape. By knowing and understanding the procedures involved in a dental checkup, you can prepare yourself and take proactive steps to achieve better dental and oral health.