Most people tend to feel a little anxious when going for a dental check-up. And while the majority of us just bite the bullet and get on with it, there is a significant percentage of people who will put off going to the dentist until they have no choice, or even worse, never go at all.
But going for a dental check-up isn’t as bad as you think. The negative associations with the dentist are usually from social conditioning or a bad previous experience.
In reality, a trip to the dentist isn’t really that bad!
What is a dental check-up?
A dental check-up comes in two parts; examination, then cleaning.
First, your dentist will have a good look at the state of your teeth and gums, checking each tooth individually for cavities, gum disease, plaque build-up, or other symptoms of bad oral health.
If there is further work to be done, usually an appointment will be made to come back in the near future, or if it’s something small, your dentist might be able to fix it there and then.
Following the examination, there will be a cleaning, or “oral prophylaxis” to give it its technical name.
Plaque is a clear, sticky layer of bacteria, which, if not removed, can harden and become tartar. No matter how hard you brush at home, you can’t remove tartar, and if left unchecked, it can cause serious oral health issues.
During this cleaning, special tools will be used to remove any plaque or tartar which has formed; this is called scaling. After scaling, your teeth might then be polished, which helps remove any surface stains on your teeth.
Why you should have a dental check-up
Unfortunately, our teeth aren’t perfect. The constant chewing and grinding along with the exposure to acidic food and drink all take their toll.
No matter how well you look after your teeth you always need a professional check, preferably every six months.
Catching dental problems in time is vital for successful treatment.
From obvious and common issues like cavities, through to more serious and complex problems such as cancer, a dental check-up is the first step in the fight against oral health conditions.
What happens if you don’t get regular check-ups
Avoiding the dentist brings some fairly obvious problems.
Small issues will inevitably turn into larger ones.
A tiny cavity, if left unfilled, could eventually turn into an abscess.
Even if things don’t get that serious, bad teeth and gums tend to hurt, and as anyone who’s ever had a toothache will tell you, it can ruin your life. Not being able to eat or sleep leads to weight loss, depression, and other health issues, not to mention the constant stream of pain-killers needed to stem the agony.
The build-up of plaque and bacteria in your mouth also causes bad breath, creating a vicious cycle of avoiding the dentist because of embarrassment, which only makes the situation worse.
Come and see us for a dental check-up
At SDAI, we understand that many people will put off going for a dental check-up until they experience a toothache. That’s why we try to make a visit to our clinic as relaxed and enjoyable as possible.
Our patient’s needs and comfort are placed above everything else, and we promise to let you know what’s happening at every stage of the process.
Many people avoid dental check-ups due to past experiences from an uncaring dentist.
We do everything we can here to avoid labels like that, and our long list of returning patients shows how seriously we take our patient relationships.
Call us today if you would like to make an appointment for a dental check-up.
Even if you have a fear of the dentist, rest assured we will help you to overcome your fears in a calm and relaxed way.
Our friendly and experienced staff will make you as comfortable as possible and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.