What exactly is included with routine dental care may not be known to everyone. But, what we do know is that in order to keep in good oral health, a person needs to experience routine dental care. And, when your mouth is healthy, your body is going to stay healthy too. So, how often does a person need to see their dentist? The ADA or American Dental Association does recommend visiting a dentist for routine dental care every six months. This a general guideline that may differ from patient to patient depending on what the dentist recommends. Some patients may have to see the dentist more or less depending on the individual case. Keep reading further as we discuss what routine dental care is, and what to expect at regular dental check-ups.
Make Regular Dental Visits a Priority
There are many people who do not go to the dentist unless there is a problem. The problem with this is that a lot of the problems that prompt these people to go see the dentist could have been prevented with routine dental care. Therefore, the importance of regular dental check-ups should not be overlooked. When a person makes a commitment to routine dental care,. There will be less likely to struggle with tooth decay, gum disease, or cavities. That is because seeing a dentist every six months for routine dental care will guarantee that the patient will have any oral issues addressed sooner rather than later. That makes it easier for both patient and dentist to address the problems faster and correct any issues. This is why a person should make regular dental visits a priority. It will give the patient a chance to talk to their dentist face to face, which makes it easier for the dentist to check for any issues and correct them during the visit.
What to Expect at a Regular Dental Visit
As soon as the patient arrives at the appointment, the dentist will have the patient fill out a medical history intake. This helps the dentist discover details about your oral health history. The patient will have to provide information about medications they are currently taking, allergies, and whether they smoke or drink alcohol. With this vital information, the dentist can start to establish a treatment plan for the patient.
The next thing a patient should expect at a regular dental visit is a visual inspection of their mouth and neck to check for oral cancer. Then, the teeth and gums will be checked for tooth decay and gum disease. The dentist will use their fingers to touch each tooth to make sure they are healthy. Then, they use tools to inspect inside the patient’s mouth. These special tools are designed to let the dentist examine around each tooth, the gums, tongue and cheeks. A x ray may be needed if a cavity or infection is suspected, but they usually are not required during a routine exam. After the visual inspection, the dentist will work to remove any built up tartar or plaque from the teeth. Since plaque can be difficult to remove, the dentist uses a tool to scrape the buildup away. And then, when the plaque is removed, the teeth will be cleaned thoroughly with a water pik. After that good power washing, your teeth will be polished, and flossed. A fluoride treatment is not actually considered routine dental care, and may come at an additional cost. However, it is that simple cleaning of removing plaque, power washing and polishing that really make a difference in good oral health.
Professional Teeth Cleaning
As mentioned above, professional teeth cleaning is the best thing a person can do to maintain good oral health. It is the best way for patients to prevent bigger oral problems like cavities, gum disease, and tartar build up. Most dentists will recommend that their patients schedule routine dental care appointments every six months, so that they can receive a professional teeth cleaning. However, if a patient keeps up with routine care dental visits, they may only have to have their teeth cleaned once a year. In fact, is because of routine care visits, that they do not have to have their teeth cleaned as often.
After the routine dental exam, the dentist will treat any issues for the patient. They will spend some time with the patient discussing any concerns. And, they might advise you to see an expert if needed. Finally, they will offer guidance on how to take care of your teeth. This will all vary from case to case and individual to individual.
For more information, contact a professional dentist at Parkview Dentistry.