Do you have an appointment scheduled with us for a dental checkup, which makes you feel like you’re doing the right thing for your smile? While you know that this is what you are “supposed to do” for your oral health, is there still some part of you that is wondering why dental exams are so important and how exactly they benefit you in reality? Get some of your questions answered with our Q&A on the topic.
Q&A Checkups
Question: Why do you want me to come in for a dental checkup every six months?
Answer: We encourage you to come in two times a year so we can keep an eye on your smile. When we don’t see you for an extended period of time, problems have a greater chance of developing and progressing. If we can set you up with treatment for a problem the moment it begins, we can more easily keep your smile in a healthy state.
Question: Is it really that likely that a problem is going to occur? What if I’m very diligent about brushing and flossing my teeth?
Answer: Even for patients who provide themselves with top-notch dental hygiene, issues like plaque, physical damage, and functional issues are still likely. Functional problems have nothing to do with brushing and flossing, so there’s always the possibility. As for hygiene-related problems, even effective hygiene can leave traces of plaque behind that lead to decay.
Question: Are you going to clean my teeth during the same visit you examine my smile?
Answer: In general, yes. When we schedule preventive care visits, the goal is both to monitor what’s happening with your oral health and to remove plaque.
