What to Expect at Your Dental Check-Up

We recommend that you schedule a dental check-up at least twice a year. Many people make the mistake of thinking that they only need a teeth cleaning and dental exam when their teeth start to look too yellow or feel uncomfortable. This is not a wise idea because the longer you go without teeth cleanings, the more likely you are to get cavities or gum disease. These regular cleanings give us the opportunity to remove plaque and bacteria so that your teeth and gums remain in good health until your next visit.

Your Dental Check-Up

The office staff at Dental Health Associates, PC is friendly and personable. When someone calls to schedule an appointment, he or she can also bring up any specific requests or time constraints, so that we can try to accommodate them. Also, let us know if there are other family members in need of a dental checkup so that we can try to schedule an exam for everyone at the same time. Thus, the family does not need to make separate trips to our office for another six months.

Upon arrival to our office, patients will sit in our modern and comfortable lobby. We will help the patient relax and enjoy the visit instead of dreading the appointment. During the actual appointment, we may take X-rays of the teeth in order to see if there are any underlying issues with the gums. We will also perform a physical examination, checking the teeth and gums for signs of a cavity or infection.

Additionally, we will also look for any visual signs of oral cancer. While most people do not think about cancer when scheduling a dental checkup, we can help identify the signs early on with a simple two-minute procedure. Some common symptoms of this disease are red and white bumps, hard lumps, and rough patches; all things we can identify during the appointment.

We can help keep your teeth healthy

If we notice any infections or cavities that require further treatment, we may be able to address it right then. For more severe cases, we will need to schedule a second appointment. It really depends on what we find. If the patient has a cavity or infection that requires treatment, we will use sedation or pain relief so that the patient can remain comfortable during the process. We want all of our patients to enjoy their visit and this step is an important part of that. Regardless of the type of procedure being performed, patients can rest assured that we have comfort top of mind.

In the case of gum disease, a dental checkup may be enough to eliminate the problem if caught in the earliest stage. Gums become inflamed and irritated when plaque gets below the surface of the gums, in between the gums and the teeth. This can create discomfort, redness, bleeding and other irritation in addition to causing gum recession and bone loss. If, however, you have your teeth regularly cleaned the irritant (plaque) can be removed before it can get to this level and once gone, the gums will start to heal themselves. Call Dental Health Associates, PC today at (503) 862-3270 and schedule your dental check-up so that you can remain healthy.