Holding off visiting the dentist? Can’t remember the last time you sat back in the reclining chair for a check-up? It’s probably time to book.
Nobody likes going to the dentist, but unfortunately, it is a necessity! People should take their dental health very seriously. Your body is a system and if one part of it isn’t well, it’s going to affect the other parts of your body. That’s why it is critical to pay a visit to your dentist, at least once every six months. And if you pay your dentist a visit for a routine check-up, you can avoid needing an emergency dentist.
What Happens During a Dental Checkup?
Dental checkups are fairly routine procedures, both for patients and dentists. Your first stop on your dental hygiene journey will be with your dentist’s assistant – the resident dental hygienist, who will first perform a general check of your teeth.
If they notice anything, or if you have any concerns, they may also perform an x-ray of your teeth to check for any deformities and cavities. This x-ray will help your dentist get a better idea of what might be wrong with your teeth. They will ask you if you’ve had any tooth or gum pain – again, the idea being to give your dentist a better sense of your overall dental health.
The next step is to clean your teeth. This will be done by scraping off plaque and tartar with a special scraper. The next step is to have your dentist come in and take a look inside your mouth with an angled mirror. They’ll be on the lookout for gum irritation, redness, mouth sores and more.
They’ll also ask if you’ve had any problems with your teeth and examine those areas, if necessary. This could tell your dentist if you need a visit to an emergency dentist. In general, if your teeth are in good health, your dentist will likely book a follow-up appointment in 6 months. They’ll likely finish off the check-up with a cleaning and then let you be.
What If Your Dentist Finds Something That Needs Extra Attention?
What happens if your dentist finds something concerning in your teeth? Let’s say tooth decay is beyond repair, or perhaps your teeth need to be replaced surgically in certain places. Depending on the urgency of the procedure, your dentist may refer you to an emergency dentist, who can perform surgeries such as implanting dental veneers. If not an emergency, your dentist may ask you to come back at another time to complete any necessary work.
A good example is if you need dentures as part of your treatment. In that case your dentist will set you up with an appointment to perform the procedure. The dentures will be fitted through a mould of your teeth being created. The dentures will then be designed and created by dental technologists to fit the exact specifications of your mouth, including your jawline and roof-jaw measurements. The measuring of your mouth is a critical part of this process. You’ll need to have ongoing appointments to fit the dentures and follow-ups as well.
How Can Aesthetic Dentures Help?
Dental check-ups aren’t the nightmare you’ve imagined them to be and are instead a critical and necessary part of maintaining your bodily health. Book one at least once every six months and then let the pros do their thing and make sure your teeth are healthy.
If you would like to learn more about our services or to book an appointment for a checkup, reach out to Aesthetic Dental and Denture Clinic today. A member of our team would be happy to discuss options. We also offer AfterPay dental for many procedures, like many Camden dentists’ who partner with the platform to allow their patients flexibility of payment options. Afterpay can help with the cost of dental implants, dentures, dental veneers, and any other work your teeth may require to give you a winning smile.