What Happens During a Routine Dental Checkup?
Whether you’ve been to the dentist what seems like a million times or you have dental anxiety and try to avoid routine dental exams, knowing what to expect can help ease your fears and help you get the most out of your routine dental exams.
What to Expect at Your Next Dental Checkup
Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)
Each dental examination begins with a professional teeth cleaning with one of our experienced, gentle dental hygienists. This includes both scaling and polishing of your teeth.
Our hygienist first uses special tools to remove plaque and tartar buildup from the surface of your teeth and along the gum line. We then use a rotating brush and gritty paste to polish the surface of each tooth. This removes surface-level stains, leaving your teeth looking whiter and brighter.
Dental X-Rays
We’ll take a set of digital dental x-rays whenever you’re due for a new set or whenever you have any visible signs or symptoms of problems that might be occurring below your gum line or inside your teeth. Dental x-rays help us detect early signs of problems that might not be visible to the naked eye.
Examination and Oral Cancer Screening
Our dentist will then carefully examine your teeth, gums, and oral cavity using special tools to feel around your teeth and gums looking for signs of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and any abnormalities that could indicate cancer.
Dr. Michels will then talk with you about any findings, your dental health, and recommended treatments.
Preventative Treatments
We might recommend and administer preventative treatments such as fluoride or dental sealants.
Consultation and Patient Education
Finally, each dental checkup includes time for you to ask questions in addition to patient education designed to help you maintain your oral health between dental exams. We’ll provide you with personalized instructions for brushing and flossing your teeth and caring for your oral appliances, in addition to providing you with product recommendations.
Schedule Your Next Dental Exam With Our Dentist in La Mesa
We recommend visiting our La Mesa dentist at least once every six months for a routine dental checkup to help prevent oral health problems like gum disease and tooth decay while also ensuring we’re able to detect and treat new concerns before they have the chance to progress and become more serious.
To schedule your next appointment, we welcome you to contact Cardinal Dental today.
