The American Dental Association, or ADA, recommends two visits a year to the dentist for a cleaning and evaluation. These routine examinations, sometimes called recall appointments, are essential for achieving and maintaining oral health and wellness. At the practice of Dr. Maegan Elam and Associates, patients in and around the community of Bedford, Texas, can connect with professionals to help them understand the benefits of regular visits. Many patients are curious about what they can expect during these visits and what the dentist is looking for during a regular dental checkup, cleaning, and evaluation.

Cleanings are critical to good oral health and wellness

Even the most diligent brushers and flossers may still miss areas of the smile. Patients can have a thorough cleaning performed on the teeth and gums by visiting the dentist every six months. Our experienced dental hygienists do that. Dental cleaning, also known as prophylaxis, removes plaque and tartar deposits. It also cleans the teeth before the dentist evaluates the smile.

What is done during an examination?

When the dentist evaluates the smile, she looks for signs of problems, including gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. If there is a concern that any of these have developed, she will discuss with the patient their next steps to bring their smile back to health. The dentist also looks at x-rays, which are images of the smile that look beneath the surface. Many issues can be caught by evaluating x-rays and understanding what is happening beyond where the eyes can see.

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Why is it important to see the dentist every six months?

Regular checkups and cleanings allow the dentist to look for signs of problems in their earliest stages. When caught at this point, most conditions can be easily treated. If signs of decay and disease go unnoticed and untreated, they can cause more damage and be more costly to repair.

Call Dr. Maegan Elam and Associates today!

Bedford, TX residents ready to work with a dentist to obtain quality, preventative care for their teeth and gums are welcome to call (817) 283-2871 to request an appointment with our team, conveniently located at 2221 Harwood Road. We are open to new and returning patients and families to our state-of-the-art dental facility.