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{"id":3481,"date":"2020-09-29T16:15:49","date_gmt":"2020-09-29T16:15:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/boyettfamilydentistry.com\/?p=3481"},"modified":"2020-09-29T16:15:49","modified_gmt":"2020-09-29T16:15:49","slug":"how-often-do-i-need-a-dental-exam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/boyettfamilydentistry.com\/how-often-do-i-need-a-dental-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"How Often Do I Need a Dental Exam?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you someone who dreads going to the dentist and wants to do it as few times a year as possible? If so, you\u2019re not alone. And as much as you may despise the dentist, getting regular dental exams<\/a> is one of the most beneficial steps you can take to protect the health of your mouth and teeth.<\/p>\n

The purpose of a dental exam is to provide proactive, preventative care. During an appointment, your dentist checks for current oral problems or developing problems that could worsen without fast care. Many early cases of cavities and gum disease have no pain or symptoms, so you may not realize something is wrong until you\u2019re hit with a ton of mouth pain. But early identification and treatment can resolve mild issues before they become big, big problems.<\/p>\n

The secret to seeing your dentist less is practicing better oral hygiene \u2013 like twice-daily brushing<\/a> and daily flossing \u2013 at home. The healthier your mouth is, the less your dentist has to worry about it! Keep reading to learn some helpful guidelines on what you can expect at your next appointment and how often you need to see your dentist.<\/p>\n

What Should I Expect at My Appointment?<\/h2>\n

Your dentist packs a lot into one dental exam. During the short time you\u2019re in the hot seat, you\u2019ll receive a thorough evaluation to ensure that your teeth, gums and mouth are healthy and problem-free. You can expect the following at your routine check-up:<\/p>\n

1.) A deep cleaning.<\/strong> Even with vigilant at-home care, your toothbrush and floss aren\u2019t enough to prevent all build-up of plaque in your mouth. Additionally, plaque build-up may harden and form tartar deposits that can only be removed by professional tools. A deep cleaning removes tartar and thoroughly scrubs all the nooks and crannies between your teeth and gum line to leave you with a sparkling smile.<\/p>\n

2.) An oral exam.<\/strong> During the oral exam, your dentist will examine your mouth for signs of cavities, gum disease, bad breath (halitosis)<\/a> and other oral issues. You may need to have X-rays<\/a> taken, so your dentist can spot any problems that aren\u2019t visible to the human eye. X-rays are particularly helpful for revealing decay between teeth, gum disease, cysts, abscesses, tooth impaction, tumors and jawbone abnormalities.<\/p>\n

3.) An oral cancer screening.<\/strong> During the examination portion of your appointment, your dentist will also check for signs and symptoms of oral cancer<\/a>. He or she will be on the lookout for common symptoms like mouth sores, red or white patches, lumps or growths, loose teeth, swollen lymph nodes and bad breath. Your dentist may also ask you if you\u2019ve experienced recent oral pain, mouth numbness, or difficulty and pain while speaking, chewing or swallowing. Cancer screenings are especially important because early stages of oral cancer may not present with pain or visible symptoms. The earlier cancer is identified and diagnosed, the better chances you have of completing successful treatment.<\/p>\n

4.) Q & A time.<\/strong> You may only see your dentist once or twice a year \u2013 don\u2019t be shy about asking questions related to your oral health or discussing any issues you\u2019ve had since your last appointment. It\u2019s also a good idea to update your dentist on recent changes that could affect your oral health, like a diagnosis of a medical condition like diabetes or heart disease.<\/p>\n

How Often Do I Need to See My Dentist?<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s not one correct answer that applies to everyone. Your oral hygiene habits, overall health and medical history all affect how many times a year you need to see your dentist. If you have good oral health at multiple dentist visits and you practice vigilant oral hygiene at home, you\u2019ll probably need to make an appointment twice a year (every 6 months) for a cleaning and exam. Some people may only need to see their dentist once a year, but always wait until your dentist gives the OK before cutting down on your appointments.<\/p>\n

People who are at higher risk for developing oral disease like cavities, gum disease and infections may need more frequent visits every 3-4 months. High-risk patients include:<\/p>\n