Considering Dentures? 
Open wide – it’s time for your bi-annual visit to the dentist. So what exactly are your dentist and hygienist looking for? Maureen Howes, RDH, who has more than 20 years of experience as a dental hygienist, decodes your bi-annual oral exam.
When and how often should you visit the dentist?
Maureen Howes: According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children should begin seeing a dentist when the first tooth appears or no later than their first birthday. Beginning a pattern of regular visits to the dentist at a young age is the best way to establish good lifelong oral care habits for both you and your children. But remember, it is never too late to begin visiting the dentist and develop good oral care habits.
For the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums and to prevent tooth decay, it is suggested that you visit the dentist office at least twice a year. New research from The Journal of Dental Research suggests that twice may not be enough for some, and that the frequency of dentist visits and cleanings should be customized for patients based on their personal risk factors for periodontal disease – a disease that affects 47 percent of the adult population.
What do we look for during your oral exam?
Maureen Howes: There are a number of things dentists and hygienists look for while examining your mouth. We look for the buildup of tartar and plaque (which we then work to remove during your cleaning), examine the health of your gums and look for signs of tooth damage from clenching, grinding or acid erosion. Many patients may not be aware of this, but we will also examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer.
What we do during the cleaning?
Maureen Howes: During your cleaning, we work to remove any build-up of tartar and plaque and polish and floss your teeth. We will also work with you to go over proper brushing, flossing and other oral health habits, unique to your needs and your mouth. During the cleaning we will also review your medical history to see how diseases, medications, lifestyle habits and your diet may be affecting your oral health.
Sounds simple, but these prevention tips go a long way.
X-rays – why do we take them?
Maureen Howes: We take x-rays during some of your dental visits because they help examine symptoms that might not be visible to the naked eye, such as areas of decay that are between teeth or beneath
How else can your dentist and hygienist help you? existing fillings. X-rays help to reveal bone loss that accompanies gum disease and abscesses, or infections at the root of a tooth, between the gum and the tooth itself. We also look at your x-rays as a tool to help determine if you have a need for implants, braces or dentures and to monitor the development of your wisdom teeth.
Maureen Howes: Although we serve as your oral cleaning crew, dentists and hygienists can help with other aspects of maintaining good oral health. These include:
- Teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures that improve your mouth’s appearance and your overall quality of life;
- Identify early warning signs of diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, gastric reflux, eating disorders and more, which appear in the mouth;
- Create a custom mouth guard to protect teeth during physical or sports activities;
- Create a night guard to minimize clenching and teeth grinding while sleeping, which will protect your teeth and may help to alleviated headaches; and
- Assist with tobacco cessation and provide basic nutritional counseling.
Stay Healthy in Between Visits
Even if you visit your dentist at least twice a year, it is important to continue to maintain healthy oral care habits in between visits. As always, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss daily. Also, maintaining a nutritious diet with minimal sticky sweets and sugary, acidic drinks with help keep your mouth healthy.
© 2013, Maureen Howes, RDH, MS. All rights reserved.
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