Maintaining exceptional oral health is essential to your overall health. In addition to daily brushing and flossing, you can aid in protecting your oral health by seeing a Rancho Cucamonga Dentist regularly for checkups.
It’s often recommended by most Rancho Cucamonga Dentist that you get a dental checkup every six months, depending on your dental health history.
The Dental Checkup: What to Expect From A Rancho Cucamonga Dentist
A majority of the time, a dental hygienist and dentist will perform your dental checkup. Take into consideration that not every Rancho Cucamonga Dentist operates the same way, but a dental checkup generally involves the following:
- Cleaning and Polishing: A Rancho Cucamonga Dental Hygienist will use a special instrument called a hand scaler or ultrasonic dental instrument to scrape and remove the tartar from your teeth. Following the cleaning, He or she will then polish your teeth, often with a rotating rubber cup or brush, to remove any remaining plaque or stains.
- Education: After the cleaning, a hygienist or Rancho Cucamonga Dentist will discuss any dental hygiene problems that were detected, and show you how to brush and floss more adequately, if needed.
- Examination: Most of the time, both a dental hygienist and Rancho Cucamonga Dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and mouth, to try and find changes or signs of a problem such as a cavity or gum disease or early signs of oral cancer. During that same examination, a Rancho Cucamonga Dentist may also use a special probe to measure the “pockets” between your teeth and gums, an explorer tool to poke at your teeth and determine if any cavities are currently present, and a mouth mirror to get a much better view of the sides and back of your teeth. If you have any noticeable problems, a Rancho Cucamonga Dentist may suggest a specific treatment or may refer you to a specialist, such as a periodontist or an orthodontist, for further treatment.
- X-rays: At some of your dental visits, the Rancho Cucamonga Dentist may choose to take X-rays of your teeth to look for things such as decay, gum disease, or other dental problems. Usually, X-rays expose you to radiation so in order to avoid having them done more than necessary, bring copies of previous X-rays with you when you’re visiting a new Rancho Cucamonga Dentist.
You may have a more thorough dental checkup, which is called a comprehensive examination. You will probably have a comprehensive examination the first time you see a Rancho Cucamonga Dentist, and periodically thereafter. During a comprehensive dental examination, your dentist will:
- Carefully examine your mouth, head, and neck
- Go over your medical history with you
- Take a series of X-rays
Getting the Most From A Rancho Cucamonga Dentist During Your Dental Checkup
Since your oral health is closely related to your overall health, it’s pivotal to communicate any concerns or problems you are having with your Rancho Cucamonga Dentist. Be sure to:
- Tell your dentist about any new health problems you have been diagnosed with since your last visit.
- Make a list of all medications and supplements you take, including their dosages. Take this list with you to your dental checkup so your Rancho Cucamonga Dentist can review it.
- Let your Rancho Cucamonga Dentist know if you suffer from dental anxiety. Fear of the dentist is usual, and your dentist can work with you to make you more comfortable during your checkup.
- Talk with your dentist about any problems or changes you’ve noticed with your teeth, gums, or the inside of your mouth. The earlier your dentist knows about pain, sensitivity, or a suspicious lump, the earlier he or she can diagnose and treat it.
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