Dental Check Up
How Often Should You Go to the Dentist?
Even if you take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home, you still need to see your dentist every six months to keep your smile healthy and beautiful. Regular dental visits are important because it allow Dr. Nguyen to check for health problems early on when treatment is likely to be simpler and more affordable. Many dental problems don’t become visible or cause pain until they are in more advanced stages. Examples include cavities, gum disease and oral cancer.
Are there people who need more frequent or less frequent appointments?
People with a high risk of dental disease might need to visit every three or four months, or more. This high-risk group includes:
The clinical examination
Next, your dentist assesses the state of your teeth and gums by:
- Examining the gums
- Looking for signs of gum disease
- Checking for loose teeth
- Looking at the tissues inside of your mouth
- Checking your bite
- Looking for visual evidence of tooth decay
- Checking for broken teeth
- Checking for damaged fillings
- Looking for changes in the gums covering teeth
- Evaluating any dental appliance you have
- Checking the contact between your teeth
- Taking X-rays
Preventative Cleaning
One of the best ways to keep your smile healthier and free of gum disease is through a preventative cleaning. For most patients these cleanings are every 6 months. If there is active gum disease, we will recommend beginning a perio therapy program or visiting us more frequently for care.
During your cleanings, our hygienists will:
- Asses for bone loss and gum infections
- Remove of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
- Remove of plague: Plague is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
- Polishing your teeth: Remove stain and plague that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling
- Reviewing recommended brushing and flossing techniques
Once your examination and cleaning have been performed, we will tell you about the health of your teeth and gums and then make any additional recommendations.