The American Dental Association recommends seeing your dentist every six months for routine exams and cleanings. These appointments allow a trained oral health professional to carefully evaluate your teeth and gums, monitor the progress of your oral health, address issues in their early stages, and advise you as to how to take better care of your smile at home. Here’s a quick guide to how these checkups work and how you can make your dental appointments easier by consistently practicing excellent oral hygiene.
What Happens During a Dental Checkup and Cleaning?
During a routine dental appointment, your dentist and their staff will:
- Check your blood pressure
- Take X-rays if necessary
- Inspect your teeth and gums for signs of trouble
- Check your soft tissues for oral cancer
- Remove minor surface stains
- Floss and polish your teeth
- Evaluate your medical history and list of medications and update them if necessary
If your dentist finds any pressing issues like cavities or advanced gum disease, they will be happy to schedule you for an appropriate restorative treatment. If they find minor oral health issues like gingivitis, they may simply advise you as to how to practice better oral hygiene at home. The office staff will also be glad to schedule you for your next appointment about six months later.
How Can I Make My Dental Checkups Easier?
It takes less time to treat teeth that are already clean and healthy, so the best way to make your dental checkups as brief and easy as possible is to practice excellent oral hygiene at home. To keep your smile ready for your next appointment, hold the following tips in mind.
- Brush at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.
- Floss at least once a day to eliminate plaque and food debris between your teeth.
- Rinse with antibacterial mouthwash daily to reinforce your enamel and minimize the presence of harmful bacteria.
- Limit your intake of foods and beverages that are heavy with sugar, acid, pigments, dyes, and/or tannins.
- Wear a protective nightguard if necessary. Your dentist can set you up with a customized appliance that delivers superior protection.
- Refrain from bad habits like tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, grinding, using your teeth to open packages, and chewing on ice and non-food materials like metal, wood, plastic, glass, and fingernails.
It’s also a great idea to thoroughly brush and floss before arriving for your dental appointment.
Neglecting to visit your dentist regularly can set you up for painful and unsightly oral health issues. Scheduling your next checkup can be the best thing you can do for your smile.
About the Author
Dr. Carla Bustillo-Gonzalez earned her dental degree at the Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University and completed an internship at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the Massachusetts Dental Society, and the American Dental Implant Association. Her office in Tewksbury offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To schedule your next checkup, contact her staff online or dial (978) 851-7112.