What to Expect at a Visit to the Dentist?

Your dental professional team should be considered your guide to optimal oral health! Any concerns or issues with your mouth, face and jaw can be directed to your dentist chapel hill north carolina, including traumas. At your dentist’s office, you will receive preventative care and have restorative procedures such as fillings, dentures, bridges and implant restorations performed. When necessary, your dentist may find that you need to be referred to a specialist in order to provide you with the best care possible. Specialists may include Periodontists, Endodontists and Oral Surgeons.

What happens at a visit?

Preventative maintenance is likely to be your most frequent treatment. This will include a thorough cleaning by a hygienist and an exam by your dentist. During your cleaning, the hygienist will clean and scrape below the gumline, where your toothbrush does not reach. They will likely follow this with flossing and polishing and any fluoride treatment or sealant application that they see fit.

Any x-rays that need to be updated will also be taken at this time. A full set of x-rays is typically taken every five to seven years and bitewing x-rays are updated annually. Bitewings are images of just your posterior (back) teeth.

Once your cleaning is complete, your dentist will come in and examine your teeth, gums and oral tissues to make sure all is well and clear of suspicious areas.

How often should I go?

The most common recommendation for hygiene appointments is every six months. Depending on your personal needs, you may be advised to see your dentist more often. It is not uncommon for patients at high risk for dental disease to need a professional cleaning three to four times a year, instead of twice. Allowing gum disease to go unchecked can lead to bone loss and possible abscess and/or loss of tooth. Patients that should be seen more often include:

• Patients with current gum disease
• Pregnant women
• People with a weakened immune system
• Patients taking medication or going through medical treatment that causes dry mouth
• Diabetics
• Smokers and patients who are susceptible to plaque build up

Most insurance will cover two cleaning per year. If this is a concern for you, contact your insurance carrier to see what your coverage entails. You want to make sure you heed the advice given you by your dental team. They have your best interests at heart and want to be sure your are well cared for, which may mean paying for a third cleaning out of pocket which could be better in the long run as you could prevent yourself from requiring restorative work. Oral health aids your path to overall health. Maintaining a relationship with your dental care team is important and will help you prevent disease and catch decay early so it can be removed with minimal loss of tooth structure. It can be challenging to find the right dentist for you. Ask friends and family for recommendations and visit their websites.

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