Regular visits to the dentist are indispensable to preserve the health of our teeth and gums. We generally recommend scheduling an appointment every six months.
The routine checkup looks for abnormalities that may affect your oral health. The dentist will look for the presence of tooth decay, dental plaque or tartar on the teeth. Dental plaque is a whitish deposit that adheres to the surface of the teeth. Mainly composed of bacteria, it hardens and transforms into tartar if not eliminated in a timely manner. Unfortunately, at this stage, only a dental professional can solve the problem. If you neglect to do so, various complications threaten to appear sooner or later.
The second phase of the checkup is to examine the gums with an instrument to measure the space between the teeth and the gingiva. If this space is minimal, this means your gums are doing well. On the other hand, if the gap is more pronounced, inflammation is present. Of course, this examination accounts for each patient’s special conditions (eating habits, smoking, saliva characteristics, diabetes, etc.). This is also the moment to share your observations such as a loose tooth or a change in color, bleeding… Any change in your state of health must be mentioned.
The dental prosthesis, if any, is also examined, as well as the tongue, palate and the inside of the cheeks. Likewise, oral cancer detection tests are available.
