Some dentists recommend that you visit for a check-up and clean every six months, while other clinics may schedule annual appointments.
If you have an ongoing oral health problem, your dentist might suggest more frequent visits..
Your dentist should suggest when you should have your next check-up based on how good your oral health is.
The time between check-ups can vary from 3 months to 2 years, depending on how healthy your teeth and gums are and your risk of future problems..
The evidence for the ideal interval for routine dental exams is not clear cut, but once or twice a year has been the general recommendation in the U.S. for many years.
However, most people at low risk of oral diseases can visit the dentist less frequently, while others may need to go more often..
Periodontal maintenance is essentially the same as any regular dental cleaning procedure.
However, it requires additional cleaning of the periodontal pockets from tartar and buildup, which takes extra time.
The dentist will recommend these visits every three months..
Most dentists conduct an oral cancerscreening exam.
This may include a simple visual exam of the soft tissue to check for any apparent lesions, lumps, discolorations or other areas of concern.
An oral exam alone cannot conclude whether any area is cancerous or not.
If your dentist finds an unusual spot that he/she wishes to investigate further, the.
Your dentist uses a variety of methods to help diagnose any problems you may have.
This may include: 1.
A visual oral exam 2.
Dental x-rays.
3) Intra-oral pictures.
4) Oral cancer screenings.
5) Discussions with you about any changes you have noticed since your last visit
One way to help your dentist uncover any potential issues with your dental health is to discuss any concerns you may have or problems you have experienced since your last dental visit.
Believe it or not, your symptoms alone can help the dentist tremendously in diagnosing a dental condition.
Just remember, there is no concern too small to discuss.
You may want to consider specialized cancer screenings if you have any of the following factors that may put you at an increased risk for oral cancer:.
1) Tobacco useof any kind, including cigarettes, pipes, chewing tobacco, cigars (even if you are not inhaling) and dip.
2) Alcohol use.
3) Previous history of oral cancer Ask your dentist if they thin.
Everyone should go for dental checkups.
These routine visits allow your dentist to find any dental problems and other oral health issues you might not have noticed.
Without regular visits to the dentist, untreated conditions will likely become painful and difficult to treat down the road.
At each dental visit, the dental technician or dental hygienistwill review your medical history to see if there are any changes that need to be updated.
It is important to let the technician know if you are on any new medications or if you were diagnosed with any medical conditions since your last dental visit.
Once you've discussed any medical cha.
In order to help find problems in the mouth, your dentist may request to have dental x-raystaken.
These pictures of your mouth and teeth will help your dentist diagnose any potential or existing conditions that require attention.
Contact your dentist as soon as possible.
Babies should have their first dental appointment within six months of getting their first tooth, or by their first birthday.
Ask your baby's dentist how often your baby should have a dental exam.
Most babies should be checked every six months.
What happens during a dental exam? .
