The Canadian Dental Association recommends that you visit the dentist at least twice a year to help you maintain optimal oral – and overall – health. Visiting your dentist every six month is a general recommendation for most patients and should include a dental examination as well as a dental cleaning. Some patients may be required to visit more frequently depending on their specific oral health needs as well as how well they take care of their teeth and gums.
Regardless of the care you take at home brushing and flossing, it is still recommended that you visit the dentist biannually to prevent future oral health problems like gum disease or decay.
What to Expect at a Dental Exam
Dr. Rykiss and our hygienists utilize the dental exam to examine your mouth for things that may affect your oral health. Here are some of the main things our dental team will be looking for and is trained to detect:
Be sure to tell Dr. Rykiss or your hygienist about any oral health problems you may be having so they can evaluate them during your visit. If you have any medical conditions, changes with your teeth or gums, tooth sensitivity or are a smoker or tobacco user these things should all be discussed with our office. We don’t judge patients by their habits; we just try to educate them as to how they may affect their health.
Do I Need X-Rays at each visit?
The frequency of x-rays depends on the condition of your oral health. A healthy patient is unlikely to need x-rays at each appointment whereas a patient with recent oral health issues may be advised to get more frequent x-rays to determine if oral health risks are still evident.
What to Expect during the Dental Cleaning
The dental cleaning serves to thoroughly clean your teeth and remove any hardened plaque that may have built up on your teeth. This plaque is somewhat removed during regular brushing and flossing but only a professional cleaning can remove all of it. Expect your hygienist to use a series of hand instruments to clean your teeth and provide deep cleaning above and below the gum line.
After your teeth have been cleaned and are free of plaque, they will be polished to remove stains on the tooth surface. The polish is gently performed with a slow speed handpiece using a toothpaste-like material that is spun around on the teeth to make them shiny and smooth.
To help you prevent future oral health problems your dentist and hygienist may offer additional at-home instructions based on the results of your exam. If any dental issues are detected the next course of action will be discussed with you and Dr. Rykiss will recommend the next steps.
Contact Linden Market Dental Centre today to schedule your cleaning and exam.
We require a 48 business hour notice for cancellations. Missing an appointment without prior notice may result in a cancellation fee.
