Regular dental check-ups
Regular dental visits are essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. The standard recommendation is to visit your dentist twice a year for check-ups and cleanings.
However, patients with gum disease, a genetic predisposition for plaque build-up or cavities, or a weakened immune system might need to visit the dentist more frequently for optimal care.
In case of any discomfort (increase pain or sensitivity, pain or discomfort when chewing, bad breath etc.) it is advisable to contact your dentist immediately.
Why are regular check-ups important ?
There are important reasons that strongly support the twice-yearly visitation schedule :
The dentist can check for problems that patients might not see or feel.
The dentist can find early signs of decay (decay doesn't become visible or cause pain until it reaches more advanced stages).
The dentist can treat any other oral health problem found. As a general rule, the earlier a problem is found, the more manageable it is.
The dentist or the oral hygienist will perform a professional teeth cleaning and scaling that effectively removes dental plaque and calculus.

What goes on during a regular visit
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General examination
First, the dentist will want to know if some general health diseases have been diagnosed and the current medication that the patient have been prescribed.
The patient will like to inform the dentist about sensitive teeth, new cavities or any other oral health concerns.
Many dentists will examine the head and neck area, saliva and movement of the lower jaw joints (TMJ), check the lymph nodes and other tests depending on each doctor.
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The clinical dental examination
During this stage, the dentist assesses the state of the teeth, gums and surrounding tissues.
Looking for visual evidence of tooth decay
Examining filled teeth, fixed prostheses, dental implants or removable dentures ; in case of any problem, the dentist can treat it promptly. Some restoration may need repair or conditioning
Looking for changes in the gums covering teeth, signs of gum disease, checking for loose teeth and any other sings of periodontal disease
Looking at the tissues inside of the mouth cavity, examining the tongue, checking for any oral lesions
Checking the contact between the teeth (the bite) ; sometimes, a bite adjustment is required
Some imaging tests may be indicated : X-rays, CT scan etc.
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Professional cleaning
First, the dentist or the oral hygienist will check the oral hygiene status and review the recommended brushing and flossing techniques.
If necessary, the practitioner will help patients learn good oral hygiene techniques and point out areas of the mouth that may require extra attention during brushing and flossing.
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Cleaning
A professional cleaning can thoroughly clean the teeth and remove the hardened plaque (called calculus or tartar) that builds up on teeth. Normally, the dentist will use ultrasonic scalers, which provide deep cleaning above and below the gum line.
scaling with ultrasonic scalers
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Polishing
After teeth have been cleaned, they are polished to remove plaque and stains on the tooth surface. The polish contains an abrasive substance and fluoride, and it is applied using a small rotating rubber cup or brush attached to the dental hand piece.
teeth polishing
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Recommendations
Once the examination and cleaning have been performed, the dentist might offer additional instructions : recommended brushing and flossing techniques, additional diagnostic tests, or advice to return for restoration work or additional oral health care.
It is important to remember that, by seeing the dentist on a regular basis and following daily good oral hygiene practices at home, it is more likely to keep teeth and gums healthy.
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