It’s a popular belief that having bad teeth can affect your chances of being successful in your career. However, even with that knowledge, the thought of having a Saturday dentist appointment (or even an appointment right after work) could be anxiety-inducing. The importance of oral health can’t be understated, but even when faced with shocking statistics, you might still rather go a year without coffee then go in for a teeth cleaning. Since it isn’t practical, or healthy, to put off a dentist visit for as long as possible, you would do well to learn more about what will actually happen during your visit. Knowing what to expect should help to put your mind at ease.
What exactly happens during a teeth cleaning?
- A visual assessment of your dental health.
- Some further exam.
- The actual teeth cleaning.
Generally, the first thing that a dentist will do is to simply look into your mouth, sometimes with the aid of a very small mirror. What your dentist is looking for is any visual cues of gum disease, decay, or other issues. This part of the exam should be painless.
The next part of the exam is usually comprised of gentle probing with the help of small metal instruments. Your dentist will be feeling for spots on your teeth that offer resistance. These soft spots can be evidence of early decay. Periodontal probing of your gum tissues will tell your dentist if you might be at risk of gum disease. At this point, a dentist might choose to have you take X rays so that they can get a very detailed look at the structure and alignment of your teeth.
This part of the visit can be the most uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. If it is, you can ask your dentist for some numbing agent, or ask that they be gentler. With the aid of metal tools and pressurized water, the dentist will scrape away plaque and tartar build up. They will also polish your teeth with what will feel like a grittier toothpaste, and they will also floss between your teeth.
Once all of this is done, the dentist will discuss with you any procedures or treatments you may need, such as a cavity filling, or a treatment for bad breath. The most difficult part of the exam might be getting the X rays done, since the slides must be held carefully in your mouth, and they are not exactly comfortable. If you are visiting a dentist that is not careful with the exam or the cleaning, causes you pain, or increases your anxiety, then it may be time to find a better dentist. However, an exam administered by a good, qualified dentist, should not provoke any anxiety, or hurt. For more information, read this website.