Did you know that oral health can also impact your overall health? Just like routine physical checkups, dental checkups are also vital. They play a crucial part in maintaining both oral and general health. However, a lot of people are scared of dental checkups. In reality, the dental checkup procedure is very simple and can save you time and money in the long run. In this article, we’ll break down dental checkup, what it is, its importance and what to expect during a dental checkup. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of dental checkups.
What is a Dental Checkup?
A dental checkup involves examining your teeth, tongue, gums, jaw, and overall mouth condition. It also includes cleaning the buildup and tartar. We all know how important it is to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. It includes:
- Brushing your teeth properly twice a day
- Floss to remove particles stuck between teeth
- Using mouthwash to rinse bacteria
But all these steps do not necessarily mean that regular dental checkups are unnecessary. There might be some underlying problems like tooth decay, gum infection, jaw issues, and even oral cancer. These problems can develop silently. A dental checkup can help identify these problems before they cause more issues.
First and foremost is preventing these problems. If they still occur, it’s best to cure them at early stages.
Do You Need a Dental Checkup?
Yes, not only you, but everyone who has teeth needs a dental checkup. Even if you think you don’t, you still do. Some problems can be identified by dental professionals using special tools and techniques.
A dental checkup involves:
- Taking your oral health history.
- Ask about problems or treatments you have gotten for teeth.
- Examining your teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth.
- Dental cleaning to remove buildup and tartar.
Importance of Dental Checkup
It’s great if you follow a dental hygiene routine. A solid routine combined with regular dental checkups will keep your pearly whites shining. Let’s see how important dental checkups are:
1. Detecting Cavities:
In the early stages, cavities are small and painless, so it is difficult to dectect them. During dental checkup your dentist will look for hidden cavitites. This way, they’ll be treated before they cause major problems.
2. Preventing Gum Diseases:
During a dental checkup, the dental practitioner will check gum issues such as infection, swelling, bleeding, etc.
3. Teeth Cleaning:
A dental checkup also includes cleaning plaque and tartar. The dentist will also clean hard-to-reach areas that we often ignore.
4. Bite Alignment:
Misaligned bites can cause long-term problems. A dental checkup helps identify problems such as teeth grinding, misaligned bite, overbite, underbite, and jaw pain.
5. Monitoring Overall Health:
Your oral health tells a lot about your overall health. Do you know that oral health is associated with heart and lung health? Gum diseases can be a sign of cardiovascular and respiratory problems. So, regular dental checkups will also help in detecting other health issues.
6. Prevent Tooth Loss:
Early detection of these problems will prevent bigger issues, such as tooth loss. If left untreated, it can cause unrecoverable loss.
7. Avoid Costly Treatments:
A lot of problems at early stages do not require complex procedures. They are minimally invasive and inexpensive. These problems at advanced stages, however, require costly treatments.
Procedure for Dental Checkup
A dental checkup procedure generally includes:
Asking About Your Health
First, you’ll be asked about your health. You’ll need to tell about allergies, medications, health conditions, and previous dental treatments and oral health problems you have.
Diagnosing Oral Health Issues
Then, the dentist will examine your mouth for cavities, infection, or gum diseases. Some of these problems can’t be seen with the naked eye. So, if necessary, the dentist will take X-rays of your mouth. They’ll also assess your dental work to see if it needs repair or replacement.
Cleaning Your Teeth
The dentist will clean:
- Plaque: Plaque is a sticky film made up of bacteria and food particles. It covers your teeth as soon as you eat something. Even with proper brushing, some plaque is left behind on teeth. The dentist will remove it using special instruments.
- Tartar: Over time, this plaque builds and forms hard tartar. It can cause swollen and red gums. Regular dental checkups can help prevent its formation.
Advice About Your Oral Health
After diagnosing the problems, the dentist will give you advice on your oral health. They’ll also tell you which treatments are suitable for your problems. You’ll also discuss your next appointment.
Preventive Care
This dentist will polish your teeth and apply preventive materials such as fluoride and dental sealants.
How Often Should You Have a Dental Checkup?
Generally, it is recommended to get a dental checkup every 6-12 months. The ideal frequency for you depends on your oral health. You might need to visit every 3 months if you have:
- Diabetes
- Gum diseases
- Cavities
- Dry Mouth
- Bruxism
Your dentist will tell you more about dental checkups based on your oral and overall health.
What Happens After a Dental Checkup?
Here’s what will happen after a dental checkup:
- You’ll get a personalized treatment plan if any issues are found during the checkup.
- Recommendation of oral hygiene routine.
- Scheduling further appointment for dental checkup.
- Dietary recommendations.
- Tips relevant to oral health.
FAQs About Dental Checkup
How much is a private dental checkup?
The price of a private dental checkup depends on location, clinic, and services included. On average, a dental checkup with dental cleaning and X-ray costs $50 to $350. The price goes up with additional services. A professional with more experience may cost more.
How much is a dental checkup without insurance?
A dental checkup without insurance in the U.S. can cost you around $75 to $200, including a dental cleaning and oral examination. You may be charged extra for deep cleaning and X-rays. Its best to check from your local clinic to get exact prices.
How often should you have a dental checkup?
Generally, a dental checkup is recommended every 6 months. You might need more frequent dental checkups if you have health problems like diabetes, gum diseases, etc.
How long does a dental checkup take?
Usually, a standard dental checkup may take 30-60 minutes. It includes oral examination, cleaning, and X-ray if needed. However, it may take longer if additional procedures are required. Your first visit may take longer because of history taking.
Why is a dental checkup important during pregnancy?
The oral health of the mother can also impact the baby’s well-being. During pregnancy, the risk of gum diseases is increased due to hormones. Poor dental health during pregnancy is linked with potential risks for the mother and baby.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, regular dental checkup is an essential part of maintaining good oral health. White teeth don’t necessarily mean good oral health. Most dental problems start without any noticeable symptoms. A dental checkup helps to prevent problems such as cavities, decay, gum diseases, jaw injury, bone loss, etc. Dentists have advanced dental instruments for effective treatments and checkups. Aidite provides cutting-edge dental equipment, including CAD/CAM solutions and printing technologies, which can enhance precision in dental procedures.