Timely dental checks are vital because they help keep your gums and teeth healthy at all times. Most dental care professionals recommend a dental visit every 6 months. Read on to know what happens during a dental checkup, why it’s important, and what you should do between your dental visits.
What Happens During Your Dental Visit?
Most dental visits have two parts – the check-up or the examination and then the cleaning or the oral prophylaxis. During the dental check-up, the dentist will look for cavities and may take X-rays to detect cavities between your teeth. Your dentist will also look for tartar and plaque on the teeth during the exam. Plaque is a sticky, clear layer of bacteria, which if not removed can become tartar. You can’t remove tartar only by flossing and brushing.
Next, your dentist will check your gums. This is done with a special tool that measures the depth between your gums and teeth. When you have healthy gums, the spaces are usually very shallow. When you have gum disease, the spaces typically become deeper.
The check-up will also include a thorough examination of your throat, tongue, face, neck, and head. This is to look for possible signs of cancer.
The dentist will also clean your teeth, especially if you are making the visit once every six months. This process is called scaling. After the cleaning, your teeth may also be polished and flossed.
What to Do Between Dental Visits?
It’s important that you take care of your gums and teeth between regular dental visits. Plaque, for instance, is always forming on the gum line and teeth, but you can remove most of it by regular brushing and flossing. Here are a few things you should do between your dental visits to maintain your oral health.
– Brush your teeth a minimum of twice a day. Make sure to use a toothpaste that has fluoride.
– Floss every day – ensure you floss the right way so you don’t damage your gums.
– Use a mouthwash every day to control bacteria and plaque. This will also help keep your breath fresh.
