Dental check-ups? Please help?!
Question: Dental check-ups!? Please help!?
I will be going to the dentist soon and was wondering what exactly is done with a dental check up and cleaning!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
First of all, your Dentist/Hygienist/Dental Assistant will go over your medical history, so be honest with your answers! It is very important to list all surgeries, allergies, or medical conditions, and all of your answers are kept confidential, so no worries there!.
Usually, Xrays are taken first!. These are done to check cavities in between your teeth, or things that cannot be seen clinically!. Depending on your age or office, there are a variety of types of Xrays that can be taken!. i!.e!. Bitewings, or a panorex (shows all of your teeth in one really big Xray, good to see where all of your teeth are like your wisdom teeth)
I like to do an intra and extra-oral exam which is when I check around your chin and and neck to check for enlarged lymph nodes!. Then I do a "once over" exam to check for any lumps or bumps inside your mouth!.
Your dental care professional will then do a restorative exam!. A metal instrument called an explorer is used to check the surfaces of your teeth for cavities, or irregular margins around fillings you already have, etc!. Then they might do a periodontal exam!. This is when the pockets around your teeth are measured with a very thin, blunt end tool!. This doesn't hurt, it just measures the area that is not attached to your tooth, the area that you clean when you are flossing!. (Hopefully!)
The cleaning part or "prophy" is when they remove any tartar or calculus on your teeth with instruments called scalers!. This generally takes up the majority of the appointment!. Then the polishing! A gritty toothpaste is used with a special "electric toothbrush-like" device to remove any leftover stain or plaque!. It leaves your teeth so nice and smooth! I like to floss my patients after this part to get out the gritty toothpaste that gets stuck in between their teeth!.
That's pretty much it!. It's normal to feel nervous, but sometimes it helps to tell your dentist ahead of time!. I used to be VERY dental phobic, so I feel for my nervous patients!.
Hope this helps!
Www@Answer-Health@Com
Usually, Xrays are taken first!. These are done to check cavities in between your teeth, or things that cannot be seen clinically!. Depending on your age or office, there are a variety of types of Xrays that can be taken!. i!.e!. Bitewings, or a panorex (shows all of your teeth in one really big Xray, good to see where all of your teeth are like your wisdom teeth)
I like to do an intra and extra-oral exam which is when I check around your chin and and neck to check for enlarged lymph nodes!. Then I do a "once over" exam to check for any lumps or bumps inside your mouth!.
Your dental care professional will then do a restorative exam!. A metal instrument called an explorer is used to check the surfaces of your teeth for cavities, or irregular margins around fillings you already have, etc!. Then they might do a periodontal exam!. This is when the pockets around your teeth are measured with a very thin, blunt end tool!. This doesn't hurt, it just measures the area that is not attached to your tooth, the area that you clean when you are flossing!. (Hopefully!)
The cleaning part or "prophy" is when they remove any tartar or calculus on your teeth with instruments called scalers!. This generally takes up the majority of the appointment!. Then the polishing! A gritty toothpaste is used with a special "electric toothbrush-like" device to remove any leftover stain or plaque!. It leaves your teeth so nice and smooth! I like to floss my patients after this part to get out the gritty toothpaste that gets stuck in between their teeth!.
That's pretty much it!. It's normal to feel nervous, but sometimes it helps to tell your dentist ahead of time!. I used to be VERY dental phobic, so I feel for my nervous patients!.
Hope this helps!
Www@Answer-Health@Com
The dentist will ask you to sit in the chair and will go around your mouth shouting out a load of dental lingo to his dental assistant so that she may chart your teeth!. Don't worry about what hes saying , it doesn't mean you need loads of work done on your teeth , he just needs to chart exactly what teeth you have present and then what fillings , crowns etc you already have in place and then what treatment you may need!. This will then be backed up by some simple xrays or if they have the facility then they may take a full mouth xray!.If you have a lot of tartar and staining on your teeth you may need some scaling done , which is simple and painless and will ensure you leave with a shiny white smile and fresh breath!.
Www@Answer-Health@Com
Www@Answer-Health@Com