What to Expect at a Dental Checkup at Reiser Dental
Hello, I'm Dr. Reiser here at Reiser Dental. We receive many questions about dental checkups. Today, I'm going to answer some of the most common questions on this topic to give you a better understanding of what happens during a dental appointment.
Why do I need regular dental checkups?
As you go through life, changes happen. You're using your teeth all day, every day. General checkups allow us to monitor your teeth, gums, and the overall health of your mouth. If we identify any issues or concerns, we can address them during the checkup instead of letting them worsen over the years. What might start as a small issue can become significant if left unchecked.
How often should I get a dental checkup?
As with everything in dentistry, it is personal to you. Generally, most people are fine with a checkup every six months. Depending on the number of issues, your age, gum recession, and bone health, we might increase the frequency. It could be as often as every three months, depending on your gum health. But in general, every six months is our usual recommendation, tailored to your situation.
Can dental checkups prevent oral health issues?
Yes, that's the entire purpose of a general dental checkup. Every time you come in, we evaluate everything, comparing past and current observations. If there are any changes, we'll discuss and address them.
What is included in a dental checkup at Reiser Dental?
Typically, at a six-month checkup, you have your teeth cleaned by our hygienist, and we take any necessary x-rays. There's a perio evaluation by the hygienist, and during the cleaning, I conduct your exam to ensure everything is healthy and looking good.
What is a dentist looking for during a dental checkup?
It seems quick when I come in, but we're checking everything. I'm assessing gum health, recession, buildup, tartar, calculus, oral hygiene, x-rays, cavities, bone loss, and infections. We perform an oral cancer screening every time you're in. It's a comprehensive checkup.
As we build our dental relationship, we'll document everything we're monitoring. We compare your baseline to your current state, note any changes, and plan accordingly to ensure that 20 years from now, you're still using your teeth as you wish.
How long does a dental checkup take?
Everything is personalized for each patient, but generally, a checkup lasts about an hour. During that hour, we take any needed x-rays, clean your teeth, conduct your perio evaluation, and I perform your exam, checking fillings, restorations, teeth, and everything else going on in your mouth.
Do dental checkups hurt?
Another common question is, "Do dental checkups hurt?" Ideally, no, they shouldn't hurt. You've probably had your teeth cleaned before and know what happens. Here, we do everything possible to make every checkup, appointment, and cleaning as pain-free as possible. We have various agents to help make your teeth and gums comfortable as we clean, evaluate, and check them.
What is the best way to schedule a dental checkup at Reiser Dental?
If you have any more questions or would like to get in touch or meet us, please call us here at (720) 797-5554, or schedule below! Our staff would love to talk with you.