Don’t brush off regular checkups to the dentist! Regular dental
checkups are essential to maintaining good oral health. We encourage
regular checkups at least every six months. Seeing the dentist twice
a year is recommended because your dentist can:
- check for problems that you might not see or feel
- find early signs of decay
- treat oral health problems early, while they are still manageable.
Regular checkups include a thorough cleaning, polishing, and an
oral exam by the doctor. During the oral exam, the doctor checks
the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. At each
visit, the doctor also checks old fillings and restorations because
constant pressure from chewing, grinding, or clenching can cause
them to wear away, chip, or crack.
Your first visit to the doctor typically includes an x-ray that
allows the doctor to view the structure of the jaw, the position
of any teeth that have not yet erupted, malformed roots, and tooth
decay.
The initial visit also involves getting your medical history. When
you share your medical history with the doctor, be sure to provide
complete, up-to-date information on your health. Inform your dentist
if you have experienced recent hospitalization or surgery, or if
you have recently been ill. Also tell the doctor the names, doses,
and frequency of any medications you are taking — whether
prescription or over-the-counter products — and the name of
your physician. Inform the doctor of any changes in your health or
medications. It is also important to bring up any fears you may have
about dental treatment.
The information collected in your first visit will help the doctor
select the safest and most effective method of treatment for you. |
