To complement your home oral hygiene routine, you should visit the general dentist every six months for an oral exam. The biannual exam keeps your oral cavity healthy and ensures issues are caught early before they worsen so they can be treated conservatively. Oral conditions tend to progress rapidly and may need costly and invasive procedures to correct. Oral health issues have been linked to general health, which makes prompt treatment even more critical.
When visiting the dental office for the first oral checkup, the general dentist will review the patient’s medical records. The dentist needs to know about previous diagnoses to know if there is an additional risk of developing an oral health issue or suffering adverse reactions to an anesthetic or a specific dental procedure. Some medications can also increase the risk of gum disease and cavities. Patients need to inform their dentist at every checkup if they have received any diagnosis or changed their medication since the last appointment. This will ensure continued personalized treatment. Also, patients should open up about past cases of dental anxiety so that the dentist can provide options to keep them comfortable throughout the appointment.
For those who have not had an x-ray in a long while, the dentist will take images of the oral cavity at the first appointment. The patient’s dental history and risk of tooth cavities will determine the regularity of x-rays after that. Dentists use x-rays to discover cavities, jawbone loss, or tooth eruption problems.
A visual examination of the oral cavity allows the dentist to discover signs of oral health issues such as: Cavities: a dental probe will be used to check the tooth surfaces for signs of decay. Cavities can be reversed if caught early; else, a dental filling will be required. Gum disease: the dentist will use a dental problem to measure the gap between the teeth and gums to detect gum disease. Gingivitis is gum disease in its early stage and is reversible with a professional cleaning and an excellent home oral hygiene routine. Oral cancer screening: oral cancer usually affects the soft tissues of the oral cavity but can be treated successfully if detected early. The dentist will inspect every part of the mouth for strange lumps, sores, or rough patches and check if there is swelling or tenderness.
During the biannual exam, the dentist will also perform professional teeth cleaning. Dental cleaning, done twice yearly, is necessary to get rid of stubborn plaques and tartar on the teeth. The dentist will start by cleaning tartar accumulation with a scaler – it also reverses gum disease development. After scaling, the teeth will be polished with mild abrasives to clean plaque and other surface debris to make the teeth cleaner and reduce the risk of bacteria formation. If necessary, a fluoride treatment may be done to remineralize the tooth enamel and fortify it against cavities.
If it has been more than six months since you had a dental checkup with the general dentist, you should book an appointment as soon as possible. Request an appointment here: https://buforddentist.com or call North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry at (770) 932-1115 for an appointment in our Buford office. Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Buford, GA.
TLDR; Cavities do not heal on their own once a hole forms in the enamel. Early-stage tooth decay, known as enamel demineralization, can be reversed with proper care such as fluoride treatment, diet changes, and improved oral hygiene. Once the enamel is broken, professional dental treatment is required to stop further damage. Understanding Tooth Decay: […]
TLDR; Skipping dental cleanings for a year allows plaque to harden into tartar, which leads to gum disease, cavities, and potential tooth loss. Missing your annual cleaning also increases your risk of enamel erosion, bad breath, and higher treatment costs in the future. Regular professional cleanings at Buford Dentist protect both your oral and overall […]
TLDR; Yes, night guards help relieve TMJ symptoms by reducing teeth grinding and clenching that strain the jaw joint. They cushion the bite, protect teeth from wear, and promote muscle relaxation, but effectiveness depends on getting a custom-fitted guard from a qualified dentist like Buford Dentist. Understanding TMJ and Why It Hurts The temporomandibular joint, […]
TLDR; Veneers are worth it if you want a fast, lasting way to improve your smile, provided you choose a qualified dentist and understand the costs, upkeep, and limitations. They deliver dramatic cosmetic results but involve permanent changes to your teeth and are not suited for every dental situation. Understanding Veneers and Their Types Veneers […]
TLDR; A regular dental cleaning, or prophylaxis, removes plaque and tartar above the gumline to maintain healthy teeth and gums. A deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, removes plaque and tartar below the gumline and smooths tooth roots to treat gum disease. The main difference is prevention versus treatment. Regular Dental Cleaning: Dental Prophylaxis […]
TLDR; Most people should schedule a dental cleaning every six months to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Those with gum disease, high cavity risk, or other oral health concerns may need cleanings every three to four months, while individuals with excellent oral health could extend to once a year with a dentist’s approval. Why Dental […]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
