Much of the fear and worry associated with dental exams come from not knowing what to expect. The more you know about what’s going to happen, the more comfortable you’ll be with the whole experience. Here are just a few common questions about dental exams.
“How often do I need to have an exam?” Dental exams should be a regular, routine part of your year. The ADA recommends that everyone in your household schedule exams and cleanings with a family dentist or general dental practice once every six months. If you have preexisting conditions, such as gum disease or a previous oral surgical experience, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits.
“How much better will my teeth look after my dental exams?” The basic exam itself won’t necessarily improve the appearance of your teeth—the main objective is to check the overall health of your teeth and gums and investigate any potential problems, and a routine cleaning can help remove visible plaque deposits. But if you’re looking for more noticeable results, you might consider finding a dentist who specializes in cosmetic procedures, such as chemical whitening or even porcelain veneers. Whitening procedures are becoming more and more popular, with a 300% increase in just the past five years.
“Will it hurt? This is perhaps the number-one question people ask about going to the dentist. The short answer is: probably not. A dental exam in and of itself is not a painful experience. However, if your reason for needing an exam is because something in your mouth already hurts, then you may have to endure a little extra discomfort while the dentist examines the problem. But dental technologies have improved greatly over the years, to the point where even a root canal procedure is no more painful or uncomfortable than a routine filling.
It may sound pedantic, but the best way to get past any trepidation concerning your dental exams is to make sure you have regular dental exams. Routine checkups and cleanings will alert you to any minor problems well before they have a chance to become major problems. And simply put, familiarity breeds comfort: the more regularly you see your dentist, the more you’ll know what to expect, and the more at ease you’ll be when your next scheduled exam rolls around. For more about this, go here: Kirkland dental implants