Dentists – What Happens at a Typical Checkup

If you and dentists don't mix well, you may have waited a while since your last checkup to visit yours. If you have forgotten what happens at a typical checkup, or if you are taking your child for the first time, take some time to brush up on what to expect when you arrive at the dental office.

Almost all dentists include a cleaning in every appointment. A professional dental cleaning removes hard debris, such as tartar, that your regular brushing cannot take care of. If you do not have this removed, you will eventually end up with gum disease, because the tartar contains bacteria that go wild just underneath the gum line.

Sometimes the dentist will also polish the teeth. This is done after the cleaning, and the goal is to remove plaque and surface stains from the parts of your teeth that are visible. This is the “brushing” you may remember using the small rotating rubber brush or cup. The “toothpaste” that is used has a slight abrasiveness, which scrubs the stains off of your teeth. Throughout the polishing, the dentist will have you rinse.

At almost every checkup, your dentist or your dental hygienist will make recommendations as to better ways you can care for your teeth at home. These recommendations usually come from the problems that were seen in your mouth. If you have not been brushing properly or flossing regularly, the hygienist may show you how to do this.

X-rays may or may not occur when you visit a dentist for a checkup. Some dentists will require them if you have never been to their office. Others will want to look at your teeth first to determine if there are problems that warrant them. Still others will decide based on how long ago you had x-rays. 

If you had x-rays within the past five years at another dental office, you may want to call and see if you can have the films transferred. This will give the dentist the option to use those films if he feels they are accurate and current enough, and this could save you a little money during your visit.

If you need x-rays, you will bite down on a little film, holding it in your mouth while the x-ray is taken. These images allow the dentist to see any potential decay occurring in your teeth. He can then recommend treatments, such as fillings, before they get bad enough to cause tooth loss.

While all dentists have their own routines and preferences, the basic checkup is going to be similar from one to the next. For small children, x-rays are usually skipped, and the cleaning is minimal because they have not had many years to build up tartar on their teeth. If you have further questions about what to expect, call your dental office. They will be glad to explain the procedure to you ahead of time so you can know exactly what you will face when you arrive.