THE DENTIST. The big, white-haired individual, holding a pair of sharp objects with which to bring an onslaught of terror to your teeth. Nothing more than a FABLE!!!!! Dentists are one of the few people your mouths can call a friend, and in this feature oral hygiene article, we’ll be taking a plunge into the ever-feared, often-ignored world of dental checkups.
Oral hygiene is one of the most pivotal aspects of human wealth when it comes to overall wellbeing. For one thing, your teeth, gums and tongue all play an important part in your primary sense of taste, and how would you be able to sustain your existence if your mouth is in poor order and you can’t eat properly? OR how would you be able to talk to your friends and family if you have a bad bout of halitosis? All these and much more are reasons why people are recommended to have a dental checkup at least twice a year to make sure that their mouth remains in tip-top condition.
What to Expect in a Dental Check-up.
Sometimes, brushing and flossing may not always be enough to render a holistic cleaning service to your teeth and gums. Many a time, there could be underlying damages and factors causing some complications to your overall oral health. In cases like this, a visit to a dentist is of utmost importance.
- Usually, during a dental checkup, a dentist or dental hygienist will first proceed to cleaning and polishing your teeth. A hand scalar or an ultrasonic dental instrument is used to scrape and remove tartar from your teeth. He/she will then polish your teeth to remove any plaque or stains. This process is done first to reveal any possible underlying problems hiding beneath plaque and bacteria.
- After cleaning, your dentist or oral hygienist will then examine your teeth, gums and mouth for any changes or signs of a problem (like oral cancer or cavities). Your dentist may use a special probe to measure the pockets between your teeth and gums in order to explore the possibilities of cavities and get a measure of how healthy your teeth are. In this process, he/she will discuss the best ways to brush and floss and possibly recommend some pastes or gels to target specific areas of your mouth.
- A dental checkup may also feature X-rays. Your dentist may decide to take X-rays of your teeth to look for decay, gum disease or other dental problems. Tooth sensitivity tests and predictive dental tests are also undertaken to make sure that your examination is as comprehensive as possible.
Many of us think our teeth are in sublime shape. However, most times, this may not always be the case and a comprehensive examination in the form of a dental check-up could be necessary to prevent dental complications that could affect our quality of life. It is important that we take care of our teeth as best as we can, because we really only have one set of smiles to offer!
To learn more about how to care for your teeth during, or prior to your orthodontic care, contact us for a free consultation.
