For decades, dental professionals have emphasized the importance of regular dental checkups as part of a comprehensive plan to obtain good oral health. While there are a number of reasons why individuals forego seeing their dentist, some continue to believe that there’s really no need to visit the dentist unless there’s a problem. That’s why a greater number of dental professionals are committing to patient education as well as an emphasis on the connection between oral and overall health. To set the record straight, here’s what you need to know about regular dental checkups and cleanings.

Dental checkups include a thorough examination of a few key areas. As noted by OralB, dentists begin by checking the head and neck, including facial structure, lymph nodes, and jaw joints. Next, a complete evaluation of the oral cavity is performed. Also known as the clinical dental examination, this includes examining gum tissues, checking for gum disease and inflammation, loose teeth, lesions on the tongue, tooth decay, broken teeth, damaged fillings, and any visible changes since previous visits. X-rays are typically taken to provide additional insight into a patient’s oral health. While dentists will be able to identify cavities and malocclusions during the examination, they are also trained to look for signs and symptoms of infections, illnesses, and diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Following the head and neck examination and dental assessment, a thorough cleaning is performed. The dentist will likely begin by removing plaque and tartar. It’s important to understand that while plaque can be removed with a regular toothbrush and floss, tartar cannot. Thus, a professional dental cleaning is necessary to remove this hardened substance. Hygienists will then polish and floss teeth, and may apply fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel.

Chances are, you’d like to keep your teeth for as long as you can, right? While you may encounter small problems along the way, regular dental checkups are the key to long-term oral health, and even play a role in overall health and wellness.

We Treat Problems Before They Take Root

Marvin Village Dentistry brings five-star comprehensive dentistry to Charlotte, with an expansive menu of general, restorative, and cosmetic dental services. When it comes to general dentistry, our approach is systematic—when you commit to regular dental care, we identify and treat problems before they take root. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Ginger Walford, call Marvin Village Dentistry today.

Posted on behalf of Marvin Village Dentistry