Paradoxically, a basic dental examination is the only way to avoid frequent and unpleasant dentist appointments. It is completely painless. Since the reviewing dentist not only assesses the condition of your teeth, this can be an excellent way to detect a variety of other health problems.
What is a dental check-up?
A dental review is an examination of the health of teeth, oral mucosa, and often also maxillary sinuses or other bone structures of the jaw or craniofacial bone. It is carried out to detect dental problems early and quickly prepare an effective treatment plan or referral for hygienic procedures. Often, the inspection and hygiene treatments are carried out during a single visit.
What does a dental check-up consist of?
Interview
An interview is an element of the dental review. Data such as age, previous or active medical conditions, medications taken, and lifestyle information allow certain oral changes to be properly interpreted and may be an indication for in-depth testing.
Health assessment of teeth, gums, and mucous membranes
Dental diagnosis involves examining the teeth, gums, and mucous membranes for caries, inflammation, etc. The idea is to catch the maximum number of lesions in their initial stage and act at an early stage. Here, the dentist will also assess the serious risk of plaque or tartar and may decide to recommend additional aesthetic and hygienic procedures.
X-ray image
Most often, a pantomogram or panoramic photo is taken. It allows one to view all teeth at the same time, also below the gum line, and assess the health and condition of the mandibular bone. The pantomographic image does not have to be taken at every inspection. It is up to the dentist to decide based on the knowledge of the patient’s dentition and risk assessment. If necessary, the dentist may recommend taking further pictures of a single tooth, maxillary bone, or craniofacial bone.
Teeth brushing
Very often, the check of the condition of teeth during the inspection is carried out only after they have been cleaned by a dentist. Basic cleaning allows for detecting decalcifications or very small changes in the teeth, including caries in the initial stage.
Dental health history check
If the dentist receives information from the patient about the course of treatment, it is usually great material for analysis. It allows us to gain knowledge about what treatments have already been carried out, how the treatment ended, whether it was complex, etc.
What should you keep in mind before a dental check-up?
In dental diagnostics, there are no special preparatory procedures before the inspection. Of course, it is worth brushing your teeth and removing impurities on the proximal surfaces of your teeth with dental floss, but that is all. If you are pregnant (or even suspect you are), tell your dentist. X-rays are usually taken after delivery unless there is an urgent indication.
Can I have a dental check-up during pregnancy?
Yes, of course! Many tools of modern dentistry can also be used during pregnancy. Only X-rays are usually recommended to be taken after the child is born. However, in exceptional situations, it is permissible to take an X-ray from the second trimester of pregnancy. Oral examinations and oral prophylaxis can usually be carried out without restriction. Basic dental examinations do not require the use of X-rays.
Why should you get your teeth checked regularly?
Examination history helps with dental treatment. Appropriate health of the entire oral cavity supports not only the patient’s comfort but also enables comfortable eating or supports the vocal function. Therefore, once every six months it is worth sitting down in the dental chair even to hear that everything in the oral cavity is in order.
In the worst case, conservative dentistry will be able to resort to less invasive and less unpleasant treatment methods, as problems will be detected earlier. Even if the examination ends with root canal treatment, with regular examinations there is a good chance that the tooth will be preserved in a better condition, which means postponing the visit to the prosthetist.
Get a dental examination, it doesn’t hurt!
Not only does the dental examination not hurt, but it can also save you pain and discomfort in the further stages of treatment. Find the beginnings of caries, locate diseased teeth, uncover the tartar, and fight all these problems with our help. More frequent check-ups mean less annoying treatments with a higher chance of maintaining the full function of the teeth. Do not wait. Contact us today and we will arrange for you to be examined by the best and most experienced dentists.
