What is included in your regular dental checkups?

Regular dental checkups play a vital role in keeping your teeth healthier, but many people never do it yearly once. Performing regular dental exams can detect problems early when treatment is likely to be more effective, simpler, and less expensive. Most importantly, a regular visit will prevent many potential problems from developing in the first place. Approaching a professional dentist in Bendigo is a wise idea where certain serious medical conditions can be detected and cured at an early stage with less cost. A professional dentist will spot problems than you, but do you know what exactly happens during regular dental checkups? Here is the list of things you can expect in your regular dental checkups.

Checking your overall health 

As soon as you visit the doctor, nothing is done inside your mouth. Initially, every dentist would like to know about your medical history. If you have already consulted the same dentist, they will want to know whether there have been any changes in your overall health. It is essential to make your dental care team know about your medical history, anxieties, or allergies to avoid bad conditions. 

Your medical history is essential for your dentist to proceed with your check-up. Making your dental care team know about you will help to ensure that there will be no complications during dental treatment. If you have any anxieties about your treatment, just don’t act like a hero and try to be brave since it will result in the treatment process. If you have any fear, you have to open up with your dentist for your overall health.

Examining your teeth, gums and jaw

The dentist will see behind and between your teeth with effective tools to check for warning signs of cavities, softening of enamel and dentin. Enamel shields the pulp in the middle of the tooth and protects the underlying dentin. Your dentists will also check for indications of problems with the gums, like redness and swelling. Finally, the dentist will measure the periodontal pockets, the spaces between the top of the gum line. Normally, periodontal pockets should not be deeper than three millimetres.

Checking for cancer and diabetes

You cannot notice the initial stage of oral cancer, but when you undergo regular checkups, your dentist will be on the lookout for signs of mouth or throat cancer. Those warning signs are sores, lesions, blocked salivary glands and unexplained bleeding. The professionals are highly trained to detect early signs and the likelihood of detecting the disease. They will check the space enclosing your jaws and soft tissues in your mouth. The dentist will also check for diabetes which is prone to gum issues. Gum infection and bad breath are indications of diabetes that occur because of insufficient insulin.

Taking X-rays

With advanced technology, dental X-rays are even safer than ever. Digital X-rays give off 80 to 90 per cent less radiation than traditional film X-ray equipment. With the help of an X-ray, the dentist can even detect the problems below the surface of the teeth and gums.

Professional cleaning and polishing

Professional cleaning and polishing are included in your regular dental checkups. The cleaning process will remove any plaque and tartar deposits by scraping above and below the gum line. It is found that professional flossing is far more effective than flossing at home, and it decreases the risk of tooth decay by 40 per cent.

Summing it up

A regular dental visit may not seem like a big deal, but oral problems can develop and spread quickly if you don’t notice them on time. Ensuring to follow regular cleaning and dental exams will save your time, money and potential oral health problems in the future.