A routine dental visit isn't just about getting your teeth cleaned to make them look nicer....it's so much more!
The first thing your dentist will do is check your medical history. There are many underlying conditions and medications that can have an adverse effect on your oral health. Likewise, poor dental health is also linked to a number of health problems such as diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease. Routine check ups are about total health, not just your teeth.
The next step is screening your mouth for oral cancer & also cancers of the head and neck. If anything suspicious is detected they will refer you to a specialist for further investigation. Usually these checks find nothing, but they could potentially save your life.
The dentist will then check your teeth for decay. Sometimes x-rays may also be needed to check in between teeth where the dentist can not see. They will also look out for fractured fillings and older fillings that may be leaking and letting bacteria into the tooth.
The dentist will then probe your gums to check their health. This is very important as if there is gum disease (periodontal disease) treatment will be required to help prevent the supporting structures (bone & gum holding your teeth in place) from deteriorating as this can result in tooth loss. X-rays will also show the dentist how much bone you have lost around your teeth.
Most serious dental problems don't become apparent or painful until they are in their advanced stages so it's so important to catch them early.
By seeing your dentist twice a year, you will benefit from all the above and it will soon become obvious why seeing your dentist is so important!!
