What Happens At A Dental Checkup?

According to WHO estimates, about 30% of the children and 100% of the adults have cavities. This could lead to more serious dental problems if not treated on time. Fortunately, these problems can be avoided with regular visits to the dentist. Unfortunately, many people do not visit the dentist regularly. Reasons could vary from negligence to fear of the dentists. So we present to you what actually happens during a visit to the dentist and how they can help you avoid serious complications.

Fixing an appointment

The first step is always fixing an appointment. Unless the dentist is your family dentist or you are having a recurring visit, fixing an appointment is essential so that the dentist knows you are coming. Choose an appropriate time and date for your appointment. Visits to the dentist are generally long, so make sure you allocate enough buffer time.

Cleaning and flossing

After you reach the clinic, an oral hygienist attends to you first. Hygienist takes care of the basic cleaning of your teeth. They use a special brush and a specialized toothpaste to clean the teeth. They also floss the teeth to remove plaque and leftover foods from the crevices of the teeth. Sometimes, depending on the frequency of the visit, an x-ray examination is performed to assess the health of the teeth. He would also know about the oral habits. Questions would be asked pertaining to smoking, drinking and brushing habits to correctly analyze the oral health. Before going to the dentist, a fluoride treatment is done. It is generally in the form of a paste or gel, and would help reinforce the enamel of your teeth.

Dentist takes over

After the hygienist, the dentist inspects the teeth. HE observes them for any gum, enamel or cavity issues. If required, fillings and core buildups are done to maintain the bite and shape of the jaw. Dentist also observes the bite and if any issues are found, orthodontist is recommended.

Orthodontist

The dentist specializes in bite correction in humans. If there is a deficiency in bite, orthodontist corrects it with the help of braces, retainers, night guards and mouth guards. These help regain the bite.

Regular visits

Schedule visits to the dentist. Make time in your calendar to visit the dentist. Once every 6 months should be sufficient, earlier if required. If you are suffering from cavities or fluoride based infection, then the visits must be more regular.

In-between visits to the dentists, personal care is also essential. Brushing and flossing regularly would go a long way in preventing dental problems. Also, smoking and drinking harm your teeth. So take care. Also, some of the infections in teeth occur way before the actual pain starts so it is a good idea to monitor your oral health. So take good care of your teeth and then say ‘cheese’.