Routine dental checkups are vital to good oral hygiene and are the best way to detect problems at their earliest stages. Early detection and treatment saves unnecessary discomfort, time, and money.
The Academy of General Dentistry recommends checkups twice a year. Oral hygiene needs change with age and the condition of your teeth and gums. Your dentist may recommend a checkup schedule that is more frequent than twice a year.
During a dental exam, the dentist and hygienist will:
- Evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene
- Provide a visual exam of your mouth, face, jaw, and neck
- Take dental x-rays and/or diagnostic photos
- Evaluate your risk of tooth decay, root decay, and gum or bone disease
- Evaluate your need for tooth restoration or tooth replacement
- Check your bite and jaw for problems
- Remove any stains or deposits on your teeth
- Demonstrate proper cleaning techniques for your teeth or dentures
- Assess your need for fluoride
Sometimes a routine dental cleaning is not enough. It might have been a few years since your last cleaning, or you might have some other factors leading to gum disease.