I work as a clerical assistant in a pediatric dental office, and I am commonly surprised by the number of children who are scared of the dentist. Many kids think that cleanings will be painful, and they believe they will be scolded for eating sugary foods. Children are also extremely frightful of the noises made by the water spraying tools and the suction devices. As adults, we know that dental cleanings are easy and free of pain. We need to impart this knowledge to our children so they know not to fear the dentist. I have provided blogs that will help you speak with your child about dental care. Good communication, trips to your own dentist, and online videos can assist you. So will good brushing techniques that will make your child proud to see the dentist. Enjoy my articles so you can help your child build oral care confidence.
Alfred Kelley
A regular dental checkup is one of the most effective ways of keeping your gums and teeth healthy. You should visit your local dentist every six months. However, you can visit a dental clinic even more often if you have a persistent dental issue. However, since everyone has unique oral needs, it's always good to follow recommendations by your dental professional.
Typically, a regular visit to a dentist's office is divided into three parts. Read on to learn more.
1. A Full Examination
First, the dentist will perform a thorough examination of the mouth, teeth, and gums. This examination seeks to identify signs of a disease or other oral problems. In this regard, they check for cavities, plaque, and tartar on your teeth.
Next, the dentist checks the gums. In most cases, they use a special tool to assess the overall health of your gums. On some occasions, they may measure the depth of the spaces between the gums and teeth. If your gums are healthy, these spaces are shallow. If the spaces are deep, it may signal gum disease.
The dentist may examine the tongue and other areas, including the neck, head, and face. During this examination, they look for signs of abnormal swelling, mouth cancer, or mouth ulcers.
2. A Thorough Cleaning
A routine dental checkup will not be complete without an in-depth cleaning, either by a dental hygienist or your dentist. The primary objective of dental cleaning is to remove plaque and tartar on your teeth.
Typically, you can't see the plaque on your teeth since it is a clear layer. If it is not removed, it becomes tartar. Since the two are highly sticky, you can't remove them with flossing or brushing. A dentist or hygienist uses special tools to completely remove tartar, a process that is known as scaling.
Besides the teeth, the dentist also cleans the gum line to remove stubborn stains and bacteria that might cause gum disease, bad breath, and cavities. In some cases, they may also floss and polish your teeth to make them glaring white.
3. Dental X-Ray
Sometimes, the dentist may recommend an x-ray to diagnose unnoticed oral problems. The x-ray captures the images of the interior of your gums and teeth, helping dental professionals to identify various conditions, including:
A visit to a dentist's office shouldn't scare you. Dentists want to help and will make your every visit as comfortable as possible. A regular checkup allows the dental professional to examine your teeth, gums, and mouth and perform a complete cleaning.