Dental checkups are essential to keep your teeth and gums healthy. These regular visits not only address common dental issues but also help dentists to spot common dental issues at an early stage.

A regular checkup every six months reduces the chances of dealing with dental complications or invasive treatments. These are just a few of the benefits of getting a dental checkup. Read on to learn more about what happens at your dental visit and why regular dental checkups are so important for your oral health.

What Happens During a Dental Checkup

After providing all your medical history to the dentist, a dental checkup consists of two important components: the examination and the cleaning.

Examining Your Teeth

During the examination, your dental professional will thoroughly assess the condition of your oral health. Your dentist will use a small-angled mirror attached to a metal probe to reach behind the teeth and gums and look for plaque or tartar buildup.

Plaque is a clear and sticky layer of bacteria that, if left unremoved, can harden and transform into tartar, leading to oral health problems such as cavities.

As part of the gum examination, the dental specialist uses a specialized tool to measure the depth of the spaces between your teeth and gums. Healthy gums typically have shallow spaces, while gum disease may cause these spaces to become deeper.

The dental checkup should encompass a comprehensive examination of your tongue, throat, face, head, and neck, too. This thorough examination aims to identify any potential signs of trouble such as swelling, redness, or indications of oral cancer.

Cleaning Process

While brushing your teeth at least twice per day and flossing them regularly at home help remove plaque, tartar cannot be easily eliminated with these regular oral hygiene practices. That is why a cleaning process is needed.

During the checkup, your dental professional will employ special instruments to remove tartar from your teeth, a procedure known as scaling. Scaling effectively eliminates plaque and tartar buildup, promoting a healthier oral environment.

After your teeth are tartar-free, your dentist finishes the cleaning process by applying a gritty paste to your teeth. This gritty paste polishes your teeth and eliminates surface stains, leaving them looking cleaner and brighter.

In this final step, your dental professional will carefully use dental floss to thoroughly clean your teeth.

Why Dental Checkups Are Important

A dental checkup is one of the best ways to protect your teeth. Having good oral hygiene includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing your teeth regularly, and visiting your dentist for checkups at least two times a year.

Prevent Gum Bleeding and Tooth Pain

Gum bleeding and tooth pain are two common problems that regular dental checkups prevent. If you brush your teeth and they start bleeding it is an indication that you might have inflammation which could lead to more serious gum issues such as gingivitis or periodontal disease.

Bacterial pockets develop beneath the gum line, gradually eroding teeth and even causing bone loss—which can eventually result in tooth loss.

Tooth pain is also an indication of cavities. If a cavity goes deeper into your teeth to the point of causing pain, your dental specialist will use more extensive treatments such as root canal procedures or tooth extraction.

Early Detection of Common Dental Issues

Timely intervention is precious when it comes to fixing dental problems. One of the many benefits of dental checkups is that dental specialists can address common dental issues at an early stage.

During these visits, your dental professional meticulously examines your teeth, gums, and oral tissues, looking for any signs of decay, cavities, gum disease, or other oral problems. By identifying these issues in their initial phases, prompt and appropriate treatment can be administered, preventing them from progressing into more severe conditions.

Get Valuable Advice

With a dental checkup, you receive valuable advice on preventive measures and oral hygiene techniques tailored to your needs.

Regular dental checkups empower you to take an active role in maintaining your oral health. By partnering with your dental professional, you can stay informed about the state of your teeth and gums, understand potential risk factors, and receive personalized advice tailored to your needs.

This proactive approach fosters a preventive mindset, reducing the chances of having serious dental problems in the future.

When Do You Need More Checkups Than Twice Per Year?

Over one-half of the population of adults in the United States has periodontitis, an advanced form of periodontal disease. In addition to individuals who have periodontal disease, a huge portion of the population has significant risk factors for developing gum disease.

If you are part of this statistic, you need more than two dental cleanings per year.

Smoking, diet, lifestyle habits, genetic history, and diabetes are just a few risk factors that increase your odds of developing periodontitis.

If you are looking for a primary dental care service to get your next dental checkup, schedule your appointment with Gateway Family Dentistry for comprehensive dental care. Every member of your family can find the dental care they need at our Murfreesboro office! We’re one of the highest-rated dental practices in the Murfreesboro area, and we strive to make each of our patients feel comfortable and confident during every visit Contact us today to prioritize your oral health and discover the difference we can make for you and your family.