It is common knowledge that oral health is important and includes regular visits to the general dentist. However, due to busy schedules, there is hardly any time to keep up with those appointments, especially if people do not know what to expect. Routine dental appointments help ensure that potential issues never develop or get out of hand. In this article, you will learn about the importance of regular visits to the general dentist and what to expect.
The general dentist will oversee the patient’s appointment, assisted by one or two experienced dental assistants and a dental hygienist if a dental cleaning is necessary. The following section explains what happens during a visit to the general dentist:
In the dental office, the general dentist will ask questions to learn about the patient’s oral health. The patient may need to provide information like the current medications they use, ongoing treatment procedures, allergies and smoking or drinking habits. The dentist will want to know if the patient has a medical condition that is under treatment.
The dentist may also inquire about previous dental procedures, surgeries, and history with anesthesia. With the information that the patient provides, the dentist will be able to take an informed step toward developing an effective treatment plan.
The dentist will then proceed to carefully evaluate the patient’s teeth, jaws, gums and supporting structures. To help with the process, they may request X-ray scans. The images can reveal dental abnormalities that may be hidden from the naked eye. X-rays are not usually necessary at every dental appointment and are only used when the dentist suspects a condition.
The dental exam and results from the X-ray can also help the dentist evaluate the patient’s risk for potential dental problems. This will allow them to take preventive measures before the problem escalates. They will also teach patients on precautions to take to limit the risks of oral problems.
During the meeting, the general dentist will clean off tartar that usually forms on the teeth and gums. Ultrasonic equipment for tooth cleaning is becoming popular. After removing tartar from the teeth, the dentist will polish the patient’s teeth and give instructions for oral hygiene to maintain good oral health.
With the rising number of oral cancer cases, many dentists now include an oral cancer screening during dental appointments. Oral cancer can be life-threating and spread quickly if undetected early. An early oral cancer diagnosis is important for easy treatment. General dentists are trained to detect early signs, and the chances of early diagnosis are higher. The dentist will examine the soft tissues of the mouth and the jaw areas for signs of oral cancer.
Avoiding dental appointments may not seem like a big problem, but oral issues can develop and spread rapidly without timely detection and intervention. Visiting the general dentist regularly for checkups, exams and cleanings can save you from oral health problems in the future.
Request an appointment here: https://www.houstonpersonaldentist.com or call Jeff Tollett, DDS at (713) 481-3045 for an appointment in our Houston office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Houston, TX.
Regular visits to a general dentist are an essential component of good health and overall wellness. It is important for both adults and children to have their teeth cleaned and examined by a dental professional every six months. In fact, most physicians and dentists recommend that regular dental checkups begin around age one, when a…
Thinking about choosing a general dentist to fix one or more chips in the teeth? One of the reasons why people are deciding to see general dentists is because they are very versatile dental professionals. This means they can offer both general and cosmetic dental services, even as it relates to chipped teeth. Examples of procedures…
Much like a routine visit to the doctor’s office, a Dental Check-up is a good way to assess how you are doing with oral wellness. It is easy to get busy with life and forget about making this important appointment. However, you should make this a priority for yourself and everyone in your family.A dental…
Professional dental cleaning appointments are an important part of maintaining good oral health. They are typically offered by general dentistry practices as these are the facilities where routine oral health care is provided. While most people do get a professional dental cleaning once or twice a year, there are individuals who skip them, which is…
While mouth guards are something that you can purchase for yourself for use in sports or other activities, higher quality or customized options are occasionally recommended by your dentist for use in preventative care against tooth damage. There are a few different types of mouth guards that a dentist may suggest you use if you…
Clear BracesClear braces are a subtler version of traditional metal braces that allow you to straighten teeth without dealing with the poor aesthetics of metal braces. Instead of metal brackets, clear braces come with tooth-colored brackets that are barely noticeable in your mouth. Instead of metal wires to connect the brackets, clear braces come with…