How long has it been since you’ve had a regular dental checkup and cleaning? If it has been more than six months, you’re missing out on a whole host of benefits. While oral hygiene routines like daily brushing and flossing can do a lot to keep your teeth clean, it’s usually not enough to prevent dental plaque from developing and causing issues like tooth decay and gum disease. We recommend coming in for an appointment twice a year to keep your smile as healthy as can be. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
At your dental checkup, Dr. Renkuntla will carefully examine each and every one of your teeth, your gums, and any existing dental work to check for signs of problems like cavities and gum disease. He will also check the soft tissues in your mouth and throat for early signs of oral cancer. X-rays are also taken to check for any issues that can’t be spotted with the naked eye, such as decay in between the teeth. If we discover any problem areas, we will work with you to devise a customized treatment plan. We might also suggest techniques and products to improve your at-home oral hygiene regimen to reduce your risk of dental diseases.
After the checkup portion of your appointment is over, Dr. Renkuntla will pass you over to a dental hygienist. They will use special cleaning tools that are much more adept than your toothbrush and floss to remove dental plaque and its hardened form, tartar. While you can disrupt plaque on your own with regular brushing and flossing, only a licensed dental professional can get rid of tartar. Once your teeth have been thoroughly cleaned, your dental hygienist will give your pearly whites a nice polish to make them shine a little brighter. In addition, this polish temporarily makes it hard for plaque to stick to your teeth. If you’re at a higher risk for decay, your hygienist may apply a topical fluoride treatment to provide an extra boost of protection against cavities.
When it comes to dental care, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Oral health problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer are significantly easier to treat when caught in the early stages. If you put off seeking treatment for your dental issue, you could wind up needing costlier and more time-consuming treatment, like a root canal instead of just a filling. In the case of oral cancer detection, visiting us for a checkup ever six months could save your life!