Regular Dental Visits

Many people have anxiety when going to the dentist. But when it comes to taking care of your teeth, avoiding the dentist will only cause more problems and cost more money. The longer you wait before visiting the dentist, the more bacteria will grow on your teeth and cause them to slowly rot. If you only go when there is a problem with your teeth, the procedure to fix the problem will be even more painful, time-consuming, and costly. A routine dental appointment includes two main parts: the examination and the cleaning. Your dentist will check your teeth for plaque, tartar buildup, and cavities. They may take X-rays of your teeth to find cavities that are forming. They will check your gums for gum disease, and they may examine your tongue and throat for other problems. After the examination, your dentist or dental hygienist will clean your teeth. First, they will use a special tool to scrape off plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth, which causes cavities, using a process called scaling. Tartar buildup is hardened plaque, and it cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone, so it’s necessary to visit your dentist regularly so they can remove it for you. It’s important to have it removed because too much tartar buildup on your teeth causes cavities. After scaling, your dental professional will polish your teeth to remove surface stains, usually with a gritty paste and a spinning electric brush. Lastly, they will floss your teeth to clean between them. You should visit your dentist at least once a year—but preferably every six months—to keep your teeth and mouth clean and healthy.