Regular dental appointments are an important part of both the oral and overall health of the entire family. When your life is extremely busy, it’s easy to not visit the dentist as regularly as you should. So whether you are preparing your child for their first visit, or you yourself haven’t visited in a while, here’s what can be expected at your next regular dental exam.

When to See the Dentist

If your child or yourself are experiencing pain in the teeth, mouth, or gums, it’s time to immediately give us a call. If you or your child have no ongoing oral health problems, it’s best to set up a regular routine of dental checkups. For children, they should have their first dental visit shortly after the emergence of their first tooth. After that, it is recommended that they visit every six months. Healthy adults should also visit every six months for a dental exam and cleaning.

Toddlers and School-Age Kids

Kids in good oral health should visit for routine exams and cleanings. As they grow older, their dental exams may involve x-rays so that we can determine if their teeth are growing and fitting correctly.

As your child grows older, their dental cleanings will change. We will be checking for plaque accumulation and proper brushing and flossing. Dental sealants are also a good treatment for children at this time. These are thin coats that help to prevent cavities for years to come.

At this age, children can be affected by things like nail-biting and thumb-sucking, potentially affecting how their teeth form. If your child engages in sports activities, we may also recommend a good mouthguard to protect their teeth.

Dental Exams for Teens

For teenagers, we may discuss the dangers of smoking, drinking sugared beverages, smoking, and the importance of wearing mouthguards when participating in sports.

Late adolescence is when we begin seeing wisdom teeth emerging. Assuming that they are coming in properly, with sufficient room, they can be allowed to grow in and be cared for just like other teeth. If they are damaging other teeth or causing pain, or are expected to, they may need to be removed.

Another concern for teenagers is the alignment of their bite and crooked teeth. So we may be discussing the possibility of braces at this time.

Dental Exams for Adults

Assuming you are in good oral health, dental exams for adults are fairly routine. After examining your teeth, mouth, and gums for signs of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and oral cancer, we would remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and under the gum line. You would also have your teeth flossed and polished to a smooth finish.

Schedule Your Dental Exam

Dental exams are one of the most frequently neglected types of dental appointments, which is unfortunate because they go a long way in preventing unnecessary and costly dental work in the future.

If you’ve been postponing your next dental exam, we strongly encourage you to contact us today to schedule your next appointment.