If you’ve been putting off a dental health checkup for longer than the recommended six months, it might be time to get back on track. You may not remember what goes into a dental health checkup and how to prepare for one if it has been a while since your last appointment. The more time that passes between appointments, the more likely you will forget some of the details of what is involved in an exam. Here is what you need to know before your next checkup.

How to Prepare for a Dental Health Checkup

To help you prepare for your next dental health checkup, here are four steps to take before visiting your dentist:

Step One

Take a look at your calendar and schedule an appointment. Make sure you have enough time to visit with the dentist before work, school or other activities that may fill up your schedule.

Step Two

Brush and floss twice daily to keep up on maintaining good dental hygiene between visits. This will help prevent small problems from becoming larger issues that require more extensive treatment later on down the line. Flossing is especially important if you recently had any dental work done.

Step Three

Review your family history and discuss it with the dentist during checkup. Your family’s medical history can affect how often you need to visit or what treatment options are available for you in general. Further, it will be important to disclose any current medications you’re taking or any health conditions you’re currently diagnosed with, as many things can impact your dental health.

Step Four

Have a list of questions ready. You may not remember everything about what happens during an exam or how to prepare for one if it has been some time since your last appointment. Come prepared with any and all questions you might have so that the dentist doesn’t miss anything important.

How Often Should You See the Dentist?

For most people, the dentist recommends seeing a professional every six months. That way you can get in for regular cleanings and checkups so that any problems are caught early on when they’re much easier to treat. Regular dental health care is important because it reduces your risk of developing serious oral health issues later in life such as tooth decay or gum disease.

If you are someone who has dental health issues, you may need to visit the dentist more often. Additionally, if you are at a high risk for developing dental problems in general or have recently experienced any changes in your overall health that could affect your teeth, it’s important to talk with the dentist about what frequency of visits is best for you.

What to Expect at Your Dental Health Checkup

At your dental health checkup, expect a thorough examination of all areas of your mouth. The dentist will look for problems such as tooth decay and gum disease so that any issues can be caught early on before they become serious. You can also expect a discussion about what dental hygiene practices you should be using and how to best take care of your teeth at home.

Common Dental Health Problems

There are many issues that can come up with your teeth at any time. Here is a list of some common dental health problems and how to best prevent them:

– Tooth Decay – It’s important to brush twice daily for two minutes each time, floss once daily if possible, avoid sugary drinks between meals and visit the dentist regularly.

– Gum Disease – You can prevent gum disease by brushing twice daily, flossing once a day if possible and visiting the dentist regularly. If you have diabetes or are pregnant it’s especially important to keep up with good dental hygiene because these conditions can affect your teeth in particular ways.

– Tooth Loss/Tooth Aches – Tooth loss and tooth aches can happen because of a variety of things, from cavities to an underlying health condition. In either case it’s important to visit the dentist as soon as possible so that you can get treatment for whatever is causing your pain or discomfort.

– Mouth Sores/Infections – If you notice anything unusual going on in your mouth, it’s important to visit the dentist as soon as possible so that they can run tests and determine what is causing symptoms. It could be a simple infection or an underlying health condition.

If You Need Dental Work Done

If you need to have dental work done, it’s important to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Dental emergencies are uncommon but can happen from time to time. When they do, you should be see a dentist that specializes in emergency care. In the case of a broken tooth or lost filling, if left untreated your problem could become much worse.

Schedule Your Next Appointment

With just a few simple steps, you can be ready for your next appointment. You can rest assured knowing that everything is done to protect the health of your teeth and gums. If it has been some time since you last visited with a dentist, schedule an appointment with Mountain Aire Dentistry today.