Regular Dental Checkup

Getting regular dental checkups is essential for preserving a healthy smile. They are an important part of proper oral hygiene, and we recommend that our patients visit us every six months to keep their teeth and gums in top condition. Through regular checkups, you can ensure that your mouth stays healthy and your smile remains bright.

Regular Dental Checkups

Six-month dental checkups are one of the main requirements for building a healthy, attractive smile. We know there are many demands on a person’s time that can easily cause you to put off these important dental visits. Please don’t put off the care you deserve! While you are here for routine visits, we’ll take many steps to ensure your mouth is healthy and clean:

Dental Cleanings and Exams — Your friendly dental hygienist will clean and polish each of your teeth to remove lingering plaque, tartar, and dangerous bacteria. They will make sure to cover hard-to-get-to areas you might miss when brushing and flossing on your own.
Oral Cancer Screenings — We can screen your mouth for oral cancer as a preventive step. Early detection of this disease increases the odds of successful treatment.
Gum Disease Treatment — If we see signs of gum infection, we will get your gums back on a healthy track fast so that you never have to experience tooth loss that can occur as a result of undiagnosed gum disease.
Preventive Treatments — Depending on the results of your exam, we may recommend fluoride treatments or dental sealants to help prevent future problems.

Get a clean mouth and a great-looking smile with routine dental cleanings and exams from The Airway Dentists.

Why is regular teeth cleaning important?

Many oral health concerns can only be detected through a thorough examination by a trained dentist. Dental checkups provide oral cancer screenings, digital X-rays to check for hidden issues, and professional cleanings to eliminate plaque, bacteria, and other buildups that daily brushing and flossing won’t effectively eliminate.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, so early intervention is essential. Once gum disease has taken its toll on the tooth and supporting bone, it cannot be restored, but only managed or replaced. The dental hygienist will use a small ruler to gently measure the gum “pocket” around each of your teeth, making note of areas that you can’t clean with a toothbrush or floss. X-rays are used in conjunction with these measurements, to identify areas of bone recession.

How often should you get dental checkups?

Ideally, dental checkups are performed every six months. On your first visit to the dentist, they will ask for a full health history to gain an understanding of your past and current health. From there, regular dental checkups will be used to determine any change in your oral health and keep your teeth and mouth in good shape or maintained appropriately.

The American Dental Association, and most dentists, recommend six months because the maintenance and cleaning provided at each visit is the best way to ensure you maintain healthy teeth and gums.

As long as your mouth is free of gum disease and heavy buildup, six months is about the average length of time for tartar and stain to accumulate to the point of needing another teeth cleaning. For individuals with a history of periodontitis, those maintenance visits may need to be as frequently as every 3-4 months.

Why are brushing and flossing important?

We all know brushing and flossing make our mouth feel great. But, brushing and flossing do more than freshen breath – they physically disrupt the complex network of bacteria called a biofilm. It’s important to disrupt and remove the sticky film so diseases like cavities and gum disease are less likely to happen. There are a lot of products on the market that claim they are the best. Make sure to talk about the options with your hygienist to get the best recommendation. And as you know, it is important to brush twice a day for at least two minutes, and floss once. Helping and encouraging your child to make brushing and flossing a part of their habits will help them have a healthy smile as kids and throughout their lifetime!

Is It Time For Your Next Checkup?

If you have more questions about dental checkups and other preventative dental care, please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss further.

Regular Dental Checkup