What Should You Expect at Regular Dental Visit?

Isn’t it truly amazing how each and every one of us different? We truly are individuals in every sense of the word. When it comes to your physical makeup, and your physical care, your oral hygiene is no different than any other part of your body. In fact, one could argue that it should be more important since all of your life sustaining nutrients enter through your mouth. What should you expect at a regular
dental visit begins with you!

A Trusting Relationship

Once you have begun to build a relationship with Meadowdale Dental Clinic we can determine what will be best for you and your oral hygiene moving forward. Once the office has established the condition of your teeth they will suggest the following office protocol as a solid base.

First, a Thorough Cleaning

Even though you are a team player and continue to brush and floss as directed a professional cleaning is very beneficial twice or three times a year. A dental hygienist will use special instruments to scrape below your gum line removing built up plaque and tartar that you are unable to get at. This will prevent the possibilities of gun disease, cavities, bad breath and other problems. This is part of preventive dentistry. You may be receive a polishing at this time as well.

Second, a Full Examination

Once the hygienist has completed the cleaning the dentist will do a full examination of your entire mouth. They will document potential issues that they see with either your teeth, such as potential cavities, or the condition of your gums and surrounding tissues. Gum disease over time can lead to big problems with the entire support structure for your teeth. They will look at the condition of your tongue, certainly an element of your oral hygiene that is always overlooked. Playing a crucial role in digesting food the tongue has between 3,000 and 10,000 taste buds! Saliva plays yet another role in allowing those taste buds to determine whether the food is sweet, sour, bitter, salty or savory.

Finally, X-Rays

What the dentist cannot see visually will be aided by regularly scheduled x-rays. Capturing images of different teeth the dentist can see below the gum line. This shows the health of your root structure, your jawbone and shows whether there might be abscesses, cysts or tumors out of sight. These will be images of record so in the future they can watch and chart the condition of your teeth and the entire
supporting structure.

Questions

What should you expect at a regular dental visit can depend on yourself and your regularity when it comes to brushing, flossing and your diet. If you smoke, or drink a lot of colas or red wine, you may want to ask questions of your dentist to help control any possible damage. You and your dentist are partners in regards to your smile, your mouth, your oral hygiene and exercising preventive dentistry together. You can make that regular dental visit enjoyable!

Contact Meadowdale Dental Clinic

We offer a variety of Preventative, Restorative, and Cosmetic Dentistry focused on long term relationships built on trust. Contact Meadowdale Dental today at (425) 742-9609 or contact us via our contact form.

Interested in learning more about general dentistry? Here's some more reading on some affordable dental options to improve your smile.