What is a dental check-up? A dental check-up involves a thorough examination of the patient’s teeth, gums, and mouth and will help prevent minor problems from becoming major ones. It is recommended for a six-month dental check-up with the dentist, which, when supported by a good at-home routine, will help to keep the patient’s mouth healthy. What happens at a dental check-up? In most cases, a dental hygienist and dentist will perform the dental check-up. A dental check-up involves the following steps: Cleaning and polishing: The dentist uses a special instrument called a hand scaler or ultrasonic dental instrument to scrape and remove the tartar from the patient’s teeth. They will then polish the teeth, often with a rotating rubber cup or brush, to remove any remaining plaque or stains. Education: After cleaning, the dentist will discuss any dental hygiene problems that were detected and show the patient how to brush and floss more effectively, if necessary. Examination: The dentist will examine the patient’s teeth, gums, and mouth to look for changes or signs of a problem, for example, a cavity or gum disease or early signs of oral cancer. During the examination, the dentist may also use a special probe to measure the "pockets" between the teeth and gums, an explorer tool to poke at the teeth and determine if any cavitiesare present, and a mouth mirror to get a better view of the sides and back of the teeth. If the patient has any visible problems, the dentist may recommend a particular treatment or may refer them to a specialist, such as a periodontist or an orthodontist, for further treatment. X-rays: At some of the dental check-ups, the dentist may decide to take X-rays of the patient’s teeth to look for decay, gum disease, or other dental problems. X-rays expose the patient to radiation, so to avoid having them done more than necessary, bringing previous copies of X-rays along is recommended.

Importance of a dental check-up During routine dental check-ups, the dentist looks for any signs of tooth decay and resulting cavities. These problems can infect tooth pulp which is the soft tissue in the center of a tooth and can spread to its root and beyond. One warning sign of potential tooth decay is an accumulation of plaque and tartar, which can also cause gum disease. However, there is much more to a dental exam than checking for decay and cavities. Dental check-ups can point to many other issues, including: Oral cancer: Most cancers of the oral cavity or throat are initially diagnosed by dentists during routine check-ups. The survival rate for cancer is good if the disease is detected during the early stages. Gum disease: Deep spaces between the patient’s gums and teeth can indicate gum disease (periodontal disease), which is a leading cause of tooth loss. According to research, 70 percent of the population will get gum disease at some time in their lives. Multiple medical conditions: The dentist will check whether the patient has bad breath (halitosis), which can be caused by a variety of issues, including a yeast infection of the mouth, lung problems, or diabetes. Addressing minor oral health problems quickly: When a patient has a cavity, it can be treated while it is a small hole before it takes over the entire tooth, requiring a dental crown. Rectifying teeth clenching or grinding: Bruxism can lead to wear on the teeth and changes in the bite. Bruxism treatment offers custom nightguards that protect the teeth when a person is sleeping. Detecting other health issues: During a dental exam, the general dentist can detect major health problems, such as swollen lymph nodes. Teaching proper oral hygiene techniques: Brushing and flossing correctly is an important part of the at-home dental routine. If the patient does not remove plaque from their tooth thoroughly, they are not helping maintain oral health. Importance of dental cleanings *Professional teeth cleaning (oral prophylaxis) by a dentist will help eliminate build-ups of bacteria, plaque, and tartar, which can develop even if you brush and floss regularly. *Dental professionals use special tools to gently remove these deposits. If plaque hardens into tartar (dental calculus), it can only be removed by a dental professional. *The dental cleanings will also include flossing between the teeth and polishing to eliminate stains and leave the oral cavity feeling fresh. *If a patient has a build-up of plaque beneath the gum line, the dentist can fix the problem with a procedure called scaling, which is a specialized form of dental cleaning that is routinely used in cases of gum disease. *Professional cleanings help to prevent cavities, tooth loss, and gum disease while giving the patient fresher breath and a brighter smile. *Studies have established links between dental health and overall well-being, and dental cleanings can help to lessen the risk of ailments such as cancer, lung infections, heart disease and stroke, and diabetes.

What happens if you do not go for a dental check-up? Going to the dentist every six months sometimes can feel too frequent. Many adults skip going to the dentist every six months for a variety of reasons, including fear, embarrassment, forgetfulness, and inconvenience. While it may be a hassle to see the dentist every six months, what will happen to your teeth if you do not regularly see your dentist? The answers are not pleasant: Plaque Build-up: When a person skips a thorough cleaning at the dentist's office, the plaque trapped in those hard-to-reach places will harden into tartar. Tartar is difficult to remove with at-home brushing and flossing. The dentist will have additional equipment that will better remove the tartar. Even the best at-home dental hygiene practices will not prevent plaque from being left on teeth and accumulating. Tooth Decay: The build-up of plaque and the formation of tartar will lead to tooth decay if not treated by a dentist. Tooth decay can lead to a mess of other dental health issues, including bad breath and ultimately tooth loss. Tooth Loss: Tooth loss can be the result of either advanced, untreated tooth decay or advanced, untreated gum disease. Regular visits to the dentist will help prevent either of these unpleasant oral health issues from progressing to the point where tooth loss occurs. Gum Disease: It can be easy to forget about the health of the gums, especially if they are not painful or causing any kind of discomfort. Gingivitis or early-stage gum disease can be present even in red and swollen gums that feel fine. Patients who do not visit the dentist risk their gingivitis turning into a much more serious periodontal disease. It is common that patients with advanced stages of periodontal disease experience jaw bone loss and tooth loss. Regular visits to your dentist allow a dental professional to perform an early diagnosis to catch and treat gingivitis at an early stage. Bad Breath: All the bacteria, plaque, and tartar build-up in the mouth will lead to less pleasant-smelling breath. Bad breath can also be the result of periodontal disease, something a patient may not catch if they do not see the dentist. Cavities: Cavities are the obvious and likely outcome of a mouth that has not been cleaned or examined by a dentist for some time. The build-up of bacteria, plaque, and tartar gradually eat away at tooth enamel, causing holes in the tooth. These are cavities. Small cavities can be easily filled. Large, extensive cavities, however, require more dental work, such as crowns and possibly a root canal. Patients who do not see their dentist regularly risk their small, easily treated cavity turning into a much larger, harder to treat one. Tooth Stains: The accumulation of tartar and plaque will not only increase the risk of cavities and tooth decay, but they will also leave an unpleasant stain on the teeth, which will only get worse the longer you put off going to the dentist.