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A complete dental care regimen involves two things: home dental care and regular dental exams. Even though brushing and flossing your teeth daily is vital, you need bi-annual dental appointments to identify oral problems early when they are easy to treat.
But what does a typical dental exam involve? Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their mouths while seated in the dental chair. Hearing strange noises and having someone invade your personal space (your mouth) can cause anxiety. But not to worry. Maegan Elam, DDS & Associates in Bedford, Texas, is here to explain what happens in a dental exam to build your confidence for your upcoming dental appointment.
Seeing a dentist every six months keeps your teeth and gums in great shape. Routine dental check-ups detect and treat cavities, gum disease, and other oral issues before they advance, warranting expensive restorative procedures.
Before inspecting your mouth, our dental hygienist will inquire about your medical history. If it’s your first appointment with us, we’ll ask about your health condition, including underlying ailments, anxieties, allergies, etc. This history helps us give you the personalized care you deserve.
Next, it’s time to examine your mouth. We inspect your teeth, gums, jaws, and other oral structures to look out for:
Although your dentist can pick a lot by just looking at your smile, sometimes visual inspections can only do so much. As such, we use digital X-rays to see if there are any issues below your gum line. Dental X-rays used to cause jitters in the past, but now you’ve nothing to worry about — modern X-rays are safe and emit up to 90% less radiation.
After a dental exam, it’s time to keep your teeth squeaky clean with dental prophylaxis (cleaning). We use special tools to remove plaque and tartar that collects between your teeth and below your gum line. We then expertly floss your teeth before using a high-powered toothbrush with gritty toothpaste to polish your teeth. This polishing removes surface stains and discourages plaque from attaching to your teeth.
We expect to see you after six months unless you have dental issues requiring follow-up visits much earlier. Be sure to observe diligent dental care, which involves a healthy diet, flossing, and brushing daily.
Maegan Elam, DDS & Associates in Bedford, TX, provides comprehensive dental care services, including regular dental check-ups. Please call (817) 283-2871 to entrust your smile to us.
We offer personalized and judgment-free dentistry to keep the health of your teeth and gums flourishing.