Out of all the different things that you can wear on a daily basis, there’s nothing more important than a smile. Your smile is something you use to laugh, greet people, and enjoy life as a whole. Aside from looking great, teeth are also vital for feeling happy and healthy, as they are linked to various systems in your body—the respiratory and digestive systems, for instance.

Keeping your chompers in great condition is essential for living comfortably, which essentially opens up a question that everybody should ask themselves: are you doing enough to keep your teeth in great shape?

The truth about maintaining your pearly whites, however, is that brushing your teeth, flossing them, and gargling with mouthwash daily won’t suffice. Aside from maintaining good dental habits, routine dental checkups are crucial for impeccable teeth.

Why most Canadians don’t visit the dentist

Unfortunately, many Canadians remain blissfully unaware (or unattentive) of the fact that regular dental checkups are crucial. In fact, many have no clue what actually happens during the process. Researchers have discovered that 80 percent of Canadians who actually visit the dentist at least once a year for a dental checkup don’t know what goes on when they’re in the dental chair. Add that to the number of people who neither visit the dentist nor know what they should be visiting for, and it’s clear that we have a severe lack of education as to why dental checkups are crucial.

It is essential to know that the strange noises, scrapes, and discomfort that you experience when a dentist cleans and examines your mouth should be no cause for anxiety. Everything that takes place during a routine dental checkup—no matter how awkward it can be—happens for the sole reason of protecting your teeth and improving your overall health.

What happens during a dental checkup?

If you’ve been meaning to visit the dentist but your fears of the unknown have been holding you back, let’s ease your qualms by going over what you should expect:

1. Before all else, a dentist will ask you about your dental history

Before a dentist actually works on anything inside your mouth, they will learn more about your medical and dental history. This ensures that they take your condition into consideration and avoid making mistakes. Certain medications and conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and pregnancy are special cases that a dentist must work around, requiring them to devise a special plan suited to your needs. A dentist, first and foremost, is a medical professional that primarily looks out for you. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions to ease your anxieties and health concerns!

2. Every step in the teeth cleaning process is carried out for a specific purpose

Once your dentist understands your dental situation and any existing medical conditions they need to work around, they can start working on the preliminary process of cleaning your teeth. As a means to understand your teeth in greater detail, a dentist gets all the gunk out of the way by giving them a thorough cleaning with the help of various specialized tools.

They will scrape off the accumulation of plaque and polish your teeth clean, leaving you with a clean, bright smile. Every step during this process has a specific purpose. The process of having a dentist thoroughly clean your teeth can work wonders for your dental health as it digs right into the nooks and crannies of your pearly whites.

3. A dentist examines a patient’s teeth to help them ensure good dental health in the long run

Most of us only ever see the front view of our teeth—the ones visible when we smile. It’s rare for us to take a close look at each molar, which means that there may be problems that we overlook. A dentist will use a metal probe with a small, angled mirror to search for any problems in your mouth such as:

  • The softening of the tooth enamel and dentin
  • Swelling of gums in any area in the mouth
  • Mouth sores
  • Gum redness
  • A greater level of depth in the mouth’s periodontal pockets

4. Dental x-rays are only an extra precautionary step

When the term “dental x-ray” comes to mind, most people tend to panic and think that they’re teeth are in great danger or in poor health. In reality, however, x-rays are just an extra step that dentists use to inspect every part of your chompers and keep them in great shape. Generally, dental x-rays are carried out as a means of documentation that a dentist can refer back to when tracking the development of your teeth during future visits. During a dental x-ray, you will be asked to bite down on a piece of specially-designed plastic while a dentist takes x-ray pictures of your mouth.

Visiting a dentist for a routine dental checkup may seem overwhelming or frightening at first, but knowing exactly what goes on during the process can make your experience much more comfortable. At the end of the day, a dentist’s services are aimed to help keep your dental health in the best shape possible, making it a task that should never really be a cause for concern!

If you’re looking for a dentist in Edmonton, get in touch with us today to see how we can help!

Posted in Clinical Advice and Oral Health Tips