A general dental checkup can save a lot of headaches and prevent many diseases or problems that could arise. Your dentist is the ONLY trained and competent professional to complete this exam and to offer a comprehensive analysis of the situation.
It is recommended that you visit your dentist regularly to get a dental checkup. The rate will depend on the state of oral health, lifestyle habits and the efficiency of the patient’s daily dental care. For a child’s dental checkup, we recommend it be done from the age of three, unless there are issues before that age.
What does the dentist look for during a dental checkup?
As soon as the dental hygienist finishes her teeth cleaning, the dentist doesn’t just check to see if the work was well done. He proceeds to do a dental checkup while taking in account the hygienist’s comments and pushes the analysis further.
The dentist’s general checkup contains a number of observations regarding different parts of the mouth. Here is what your dentist from Santé dentaire VMR in Mount-Royal will look at:
- Are the teeth damaged or decaying? Are they in a normal position?
- Periodontal pocket depth at the gum level or signs of disease
- The palate
- Inside the cheeks
- Signs of bleeding or tongue inflammation
- The soft tissues under the tongue
Furthermore, your dentist will check your jaw muscles, if there are any signs of teeth grinding and if the dental work previously done is still in good shape (root canals, crowns, etc.).
The role of the patient
Before proceeding with a general dental checkup, the patient also has a role to play since he ought to inform the dentist if certain problems or discomforts have taken place recently. Here’s a list of items to communicate to your dentist:
- Teeth sensitivity to heat or cold
- Teeth discoloration or movement
- Sores or ulcers
- Muscle tension of the jaw or the neck
- Neck lumps
- Diagnosed medical condition since the last visit to the dentist
- New medication taken by the patient
- If the patient is pregnant
- Allergies
- Pain in different areas
In addition, if you have any concerns regarding your health or about potential interventions to be done in your mouth, feel free to tell your dentist who will explain the situation and will reassure you regarding the next steps.
To obtain pricing for a dental checkup or to book an appointment with a dentist from Santé Dentaire VMR, don’t hesitate to contact us now! Our team of qualified dentists, offers you an array of general and cosmetic dentistry services.