Regular dental check-ups are the best way to make sure your gums and teeth stay healthy. The check up allows your dentist to diagnose any problems, and to take preventive action to stop problems before they develop. Your dentist is trained to look for anything unusual in your mouth, throat and neck, including the oral manifestations of diseases, oral cancer, infections, the early signs of gum disease, eroded fillings and dental decay.
Your dentist understands the treatment alternatives available to you, and can help you make informed decisions about your dental care. But you have a role to play too in preventing many of the common dental problems associated with growing older. Brush and floss your teeth properly, visit your dentist regularly for a professional cleaning, check up and necessary treatment, and update your dentist on your medical history, including any new medication you are taking.
Do I need a dental check up?
Yes. Everyone needs regular preventive check-ups. Even if you are diligent about brushing and flossing, your teeth and gums still need regular care from a dental professional. Check ups are equally important if you wear dentures, have dental implants, or are taking medication that affects your mouth in some way, such as causing dry mouth or overgrown gums.
How often you go for a check up depends on your oral health needs. The goal is to catch small problems early. For many people, this means a check up every six months. Your dentist may suggest that you visit more or less often depending on how well you care for your teeth and gums, problems you have that need to be checked or treated, how fast tartar builds up on your teeth, and so on.
No matter how carefully you take care of your teeth and gums, or how carefully you look for signs of problems, there are a number of oral health conditions that only your dentist can see. Various medical conditions can also be detected during your dental check-up, often in their early stages. Your dentist has been trained to identify the oral manifestations of these conditions, and can refer you to other health professionals for treatment.
Ten oral health problems your dentist can see that you can't:
Parts of the check-up
During your check up, your dentist will look for early signs of oral cancer and many other diseases. Your dentist will also look for gum disease, cavities, eroded fillings, tooth fractures, and oral infections. He or she is trained to catch small problems before they become big ones, and can often treat a problem right away.
A check-up can include some or all of the following procedures:
Why do I need my teeth cleaned?
Professional cleaning is the only way to remove hardened deposits of tartar from your teeth. If tartar is not removed, it can cause gum disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Cleaning also smoothes and polishes the surfaces of your teeth and your fillings so they are less likely to accumulate plaque (the invisible bacterial film that builds up on teeth every day). Finally, cleaning removes stains and mild discolourations, so your teeth look better. A good cleaning can take some time, but it's time well spent. A cleaning by your dentist or dental hygienist helps to prevent gum disease, one of the most common adult dental problems.
Will the dentist take X-rays?
X-rays may or may not be a regular part of your check-up. X-rays help your dentist see problems long before they get too serious. Your dentist will only take X-rays if there is a need for them.
X-rays can show:
Are X-rays safe?
X-rays are safe. People are exposed to very low levels of radiation as part of their daily lives. When you have a dental X-ray, you are protected in three ways:
Is there anything I need to do?
Yes. Be sure to tell your dentist about any changes in your general health, any medication you are taking, or whether your medication has changed since your last visit. Talk to your dentist about any specific dental problems or concerns you have. You should also mention any stress-producing factors in your life, since stress affects the condition of your mouth.
Be sure to tell your dentist about discomfort, pain or other oral symptoms that you are experiencing. Your dentist will be able to determine what's wrong, or refer you to an appropriate health care professional for further consultation.
Some adults suffer from dry mouth, which may be a side effect of medication. In addition to being uncomfortable, this condition can aggravate other dental problems and increase the risk of decay. Mention it to your dentist.
Tell your dentist:
It's just as important to let your dentist know about your general health. Tell your dentist:
Often, it's fear of pain that keeps people out of the dental chair. But new ways of doing things have made modern dentistry almost painless. If you are afraid of going to the dentist for any reason, don't be shy to talk to your dentist about it. Your dentist is trained to help you relax.
Questions to ask your dentist
A check-up is also an opportunity to talk to your dentist about your oral health and to ask questions.