It’s okay to postpone my dental appointment, right? Well, no, in a nutshell, it is not a good idea to postpone your routine dental appointments. You may be thinking, “Well, it’s just a cleaning, it’s not that big of a deal” and here is where you are wrong. You may not realize it, but at Smile Hilliard, so many important things are accomplished at your dental appointments besides the cleaning of your teeth. Here are some things to consider:
- Your hygienist will first ask you if you have any questions or concerns. This is extremely important so that your concerns and desires are heard and addressed.
- She also reviews your medical history to see if you’ve had any new surgeries, new medications, or new diagnoses that might affect your oral health.
- Your hygienist completes a visual examination of your teeth and gums to see if there are any obvious issues or changes. She will report any findings to Dr. Sanyk or Dr. Henderson.
- Once per year, we complete a full examination of your gum health. This includes checking for inflammation, recession, gum tenderness and bleeding, and tooth stability. These are crucial aspects of your oral health to monitor so that gum disease can be avoided or caught early on and treated.
- Also completed once per year are updated cavity detecting x-rays. These x-rays are also useful in finding any bone problems, defects in old fillings or crowns, and other abnormalities.
- Any prudent information that is found so far into the appointment is shared with either Dr. Sanyk or Dr. Henderson by your hygienist. This is essential so that all points are discussed including your concerns so that they may be addressed and nothing is missed. You will find that detailed communication amongst your dental team is crucial in caring for your oral health.
- Your dentist will do a thorough examination to check for cavities and gum problems, utilizing the information already obtained thus far in your appointment. This also includes making sure your existing dental work, such as fillings and crowns, are holding up well.
- Your dentist will also examine any retainers, night guard, or other oral appliances to make sure they are in good condition, fitting correctly and to answer any concerns you may have about them.
- An oral cancer screening is next on the list and this includes visual examination for lesions and color changes of the tissue. Also, gentle palpation (i.e. feeling) of the cheeks, lips, and jaws is done to make sure there are no lumps or bumps that shouldn’t be there. This can be life saving!
- A quick check of your bite is complete as well. This is to see if your teeth have abnormal wear and tear or to evaluate if your teeth are shifting for any reason.
- If there is any recommended treatment, Dr. Sanyk or Dr. Henderson will discuss the procedure, what options you have, and when it should be done. This conversation is very important to make sure you understand your oral condition and what can be done about it.
- In addition, your hygienist will discuss any home care techniques and products that may benefit your oral health in between appointments.
- Lastly, she will complete a thorough and gentle cleaning of your teeth finished with a nice polish that makes your teeth shine!
So, if you think a dental appointments are just a cleaning, it couldn’t be further from the truth! Be sure to remember all the other important benefits and the value you receive that you receive at your appointments at Smile Hilliard!
