What’s the number one question we hear patients ask us? Without a doubt it’s, “My teeth feel fine. Why do I need a dental check-up?” But when we hear this question, we think of the hundreds of patients we see each year that have put off their check-up until it’s too late and they are either calling us for an emergency appointment because of pain or coming to us for treatment for gum infections.
Catching Problems Early
The bottom line is that a check-up allows us to see if you have any dental problems and helps you keep your mouth healthy. Through check-ups and regularly scheduled cleanings, we can identify problem areas in your mouth that if they went untreated would advance to a more serious emergency situation – and could even involve unnecessary pain.
Detecting Oral Cancer
Apart from being able to access your overall oral health, a dental check-up also allows your dentist to screen for oral cancer – something that few patients think about until it’s too late. Screening is especially important for anyone over the age of 45 since it can be treated in most cases if caught early.
Understanding the Dental Check-Up
So, what happens during a dental check-up? Your dentist will examine your teeth, gums and mouth and ask about any problems you’ve had with your teeth, mouth or gums. You’ll also be given instruction on best practices for oral health. A lot of patients wonder “How often should I have a dental check-up?” The answer to this question cannot be given without having your first check-up since it’s dependent upon your oral health. In general terms, however, it’s recommended that you have a dental exam at a minimum of once a year. Otherwise, you may end up being one of those people we described earlier in this article – having to see a dentist when you’re in extreme pain or due to an emergency situation that could have been averted through regularly scheduled exams and cleanings.
A Smile 4 U Understands Your Anxiety
We respect and understand that many patients experience dental anxiety. At our office, we do everything we can to make sure that your experience is as enjoyable as possible. By communicating clearly what you can expect during your treatment, we are often able to alleviate dental fear. We encourage you to bring headphones and music to listen to during your treatment and ask us about dental sedation options.
