What are the dental checkups and periodical examinations?

You should know that a dental checkup twice a year is very important and prevents many oral and dental problems. Oral examination and diagnosis of the disease in the early stages can have a positive effect on its treatment.

How often should I visit the dentist?

For most patients, a checkup twice a year is suitable. In a normal checkup session, a health specialist and a dentist visit the patient. The hygienist cleans the teeth and talks to the patient about dental care methods and answers his questions. The dentist examines the mouth again, checks the health of the gums and teeth, diagnoses possible diseases, if necessary, sends the patient for imaging, and gives the necessary recommendations. Dental checkups are important not only for cleaning the oral cavity but also for identifying diseases in the early stages.

Why is a dental checkup twice a year necessary?

Checkup twice a year is necessary because:

• In this way, the doctor can find problems that you did not notice.
• Also, the doctor can identify the signs of tooth decay (the decay is not painful and cannot be seen until it reaches advanced stages).
• In this way, the doctor can quickly treat problems related to your mouth. In general, the earlier the problem is detected, the more likely it is to be treated.

Are there people who need more or fewer meetings?

A checkup twice a year is suitable for everyone. However, some people need more than two checkups a year. These people are those who:

• They have gum disease.
• Caries and dental plaque are hereditary in their family.
• They have a weak immune system (their body’s ability to fight infections and diseases is low).
• They have certain conditions – especially those that lead to illness and stress. In this situation, a person may suffer from oral problems or infections.

On the other hand, people who take good care of their teeth and gums have lived for years without any problems and may need to visit the dentist less often.

Consult your dentist about the appropriate visit sessions.

If I visit a dentist, what topics should I discuss with him in the first meeting?

The dentist wants to find out about your oral health condition so that he can notice changes and problems in the next sessions. Of course, before examining the condition of your mouth, he asks about the general health of your body. The topics he asks about are the following:

• History of medications/medications you are currently taking: The dentist will ask about your illnesses. It is important to tell your dentist all of your medical concerns, not just the ones you think are related to your mouth. Some diseases, for example, diabetes, can increase the risk of developing gum disease, and thus you may need to use a different anesthetic method or even a different approach to treatment or prevention. Bring a list of all medications you are currently taking and their dosages. Some medications lead to dry mouth and increase the risk of caries. Another reason your doctor needs to know about your medications is so that he doesn’t prescribe a medication that interferes with your current medications and, if necessary, change your anesthesia medication.
• The current health of the teeth: If you feel that one of your teeth is cracked or sensitive, or if you feel any lumps or bumps in your mouth, be sure to inform the doctor. In this way, he can check your symptoms and diagnose the disease more easily.
• Fear of dentistry: If you are afraid of dentistry and treatment methods, be sure to inform your doctor. Treatment methods have changed compared to before, and pain control methods have also changed. The doctor will explain to you the ways to reduce fear and pain and this way you will feel better.

What happens in regular dental checkup sessions?

A normal dental checkup session usually includes the following activities:

• Specialists who treat you: two oral and dental health specialists – a dentist and a hygienist – will visit you. The hygienist will perform an initial examination of your gums (hygienists are not authorized to diagnose dental or gum problems, but they can examine the gums and teeth). Hygienists will examine any changes in your oral condition and your medications, clean your teeth, talk to you about dental care methods, and answer your questions. Your dentist will re-examine your mouth, check the health of the gums and teeth, diagnose possible diseases, if necessary, send the patient for imaging, and make the necessary recommendations.
• Cleaning: Although brushing and flossing at home helps to remove plaques, professional cleaning – performed by a dentist in Canada or hygienist – can clean your teeth fundamentally and plaques Remove hard (stone or tartar) on the teeth. Most hygienists use a series of metal tools to clean your teeth. Some people use Airflow to completely clean the inside of the gums and under the gum line.
• Polishing: After your teeth are cleaned, they are polished to remove plaque and stains from their surface. The specialist uses an abrasive substance and fluoride and performs the washing operation using a small rotating cup or a brush connected to the dental handpiece.
• Prevention: Maybe the health professional will give you several instructions to implement at home and see the result. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about brushing and flossing or the general health of your teeth and gums.
• Photographing: It may be necessary to take photographs of the teeth during the checkup session. The dentist examines your mouth, checks your dental history, and decides whether you should take a photo or not based on the possibility of cavity formation on the teeth.
• Treatment recommendations: If a problem is detected during the dental checkup session, your dentist will make several suggestions for the next steps. These recommendations may include referral to another specialist, further testing or return for treatment (such as fillings or veneers), or other oral and dental treatments.

What is a comprehensive dental examination?

A comprehensive dental examination is not only a check of tooth decay and gum health but also includes the space inside your mouth, head, and neck. This type of examination is usually done at the first visit, but it may be done once in a few years. A comprehensive dental examination includes the following:

• Head and Neck: The dentist will examine your head and neck and look for any swelling or tenderness in the lymph nodes and salivary glands in the neck area (which are signs of infection or disease). Your dentist will also examine your temporomandibular joint (which connects the jawbone to the skull) to make sure there are no problems.
• Soft tissue: The soft tissue of your mouth includes the tongue, the inner part of the lips and cheeks, and the roof and floor of the tongue. These areas are examined for any spots, lesions, cuts, swellings, or growths. These cases can indicate a problem in oral and dental hygiene. The back of your throat and tonsils will also be examined.
• Gum tissue: the gums and the structure around the teeth are examined to identify any gum disease; The gums may be red or swollen, or the gums may bleed if touched. If you have gum disease, your doctor will refer you to a gum disease specialist.
• Occlusion: The proximity of the upper and lower teeth is checked. The dentist pays attention to the distance between the teeth and, if necessary, asks you to bite the wax object.
• Dental clinical examination: the surface of the tooth is examined to find signs of tooth decay. Also, the doctor checks the dental cavities with a special tool. (Decomposed enamel appears softer than healthy enamel.) The doctor examines problems related to fillings, brackets, bridges, dentures, veneers, and more.
• X-ray images: Your doctor will send you for imaging to find signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral and dental diseases.