Know What to Expect at Your Check-Up

Most people know that it is recommended that you visit the dentist office every 6 months to have a professional dental checkup. However, not everyone sticks to this schedule. You may have some apprehension or fear of the unknown if you're not used to going to the dentist on a regular basis. As the best dental clinic in the southern Missouri area, Access Dental and Dentures is here to help ease your concerns and let you know what you can expect at a typical dental check-up. Keep reading to learn all about it! 

Before & Between Checkups

One of the first things to know is that regular dental health and hygiene at home can help your dentist appointments go smoother and more quickly. Important dental habits include brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing every day, and maintaining a balanced diet. 

Before your appointment, it's a good idea to come up with a list of any questions you may have for your dentist. You can even write them down if you're worried about forgetting them during the appointment. You may wonder about jaw pain in the mornings, why your gums bleed when you floss, or any number of other general questions about your oral health. Don't hesitate to ask - we are there to help! 

Dental Exam

Part of your appointment with a dentist will include an examination of your teeth and mouth. The dentist is performing this evaluation to see the status of your dental health and if there are any serious issues that need to be addressed. If needed, they may take x-rays of your teeth. This allows the dentist to see any underlying problems inside or between your teeth. Your teeth will be closely examined for any visible issues on the surface. Your dentist will also take a look at your gums to check for wear, separation, and inflammation - all of these could be signs of gum disease. 

Expect the dentist to also look at the rest of your head, including the face, throat, and tongue, for signs of trouble. If there is any swelling or redness, this could be a clue that there is a problem somewhere in your mouth that needs to be treated.

Cleaning Your Teeth

The other important part of your dental check-up is the teeth cleaning. Even with regular daily brushing and flossing, it is always possible that you are missing parts of your teeth. Dental hygienists can spot these areas and get rid of the harmful substances you have missed, like plaque and tartar.

Plaque is a clear, sticky layer of bacteria that you may be able to brush off, but when it is not removed right away, it can harden and become tartar. Tartar will not come off with just a toothbrush. Our office has special tools that can remove that tartar for you to keep your teeth healthy. 

Once the plaque and tartar has been removed, your teeth will be polished to remove surface stains that have formed since your last visit. Last, we will floss your teeth to make sure your mouth is completely fresh and clean!

Make an Appointment with Us!

If it has been awhile since your last dentist's appointment, then it is important for you to give us a call and schedule a check-up. You could be missing spots on your teeth that may be developing into serious dental issues that can turn into health hazards. The longer you wait, the more serious - and expensive - the issues can become. Call today to schedule an appointment with the best dentist in the Springfield area - Access Dental and Dentures! 1-877-DENTIST

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn