What Happens at a Dental Checkup?

At Sterling Dental Center , we often emphasize the importance of regular dental checkups for not only adults, but also children. You and your family should be getting regular checkups at least twice a year. While it is very important to take care of your teeth at home, it is also important to supplement healthy home habits with dental checkups.

You may know that you need to get a checkup, but do you know what a checkup encompasses?

Cleaning

First and foremost, your checkup is going to include a cleaning and a polishing. One of our dental hygienists will scrape your teeth (not as painful as it sounds!) to remove the built-up tartar. After that, they will polish your teeth with a rubber cup or brush to get rid of the stubborn plaque and stains.

After they’ve cleaned your teeth, they will floss to get rid of anything lingering food particles.

Examination

Once your dental hygienist has cleaned and polished your mouth, they will perform a small examination before the dentist comes in. The dentist will complete a thorough examination of your mouth, teeth, and gums to look for any potential issues. This is when they will establish if you have any cavities forming or any that need to be treated. We may use a probe and mirror to get a better look at your teeth.

X-Rays

If required, we will take x-rays of your teeth. X-rays help us look closer for decay and gum disease. We won’t do x-rays every time, so don’t be surprised if they aren’t taken every time.

Summary

At the end of your appointment, we will talk through all of the things we found. If there were any issues that need immediate treatment, we will schedule you for a follow-up or point you to a specialist. If it is something small like not brushing well enough, we will go over brushing technique. And, like always, we will encourage you to floss every day!

Regular dental checkups are nothing to be afraid of, so call Sterling Dental Center today to schedule your next visit. Your mouth will thank you!