Doctor, can you introduce yourself?
Hello, my name is Dr. Harpinder Shivchenko from Smiles by the Sea Family Dentistry in Hampton, New Hampshire. And I'm here to answer some of the questions about dental checkups.
Why do I need a regular dental checkup?
So why you need a regular dental checkup is very, very important to do the dental checkup because we want to make sure that you are staying away from getting any cavities, which can lead to infections, tooth loss, and many other health-related conditions as well. There are many that are related to having unhealthy gums, infections with your gums. So we want to make sure that everybody stays healthy, stays out of trouble, and not getting any health conditions because of the dental checkups not getting done.
How often should I get a dental checkup?
So how often you should get a dental checkup is usually you want to at least minimum every six months because we want to make sure, again, that you are staying healthy. Anything that is starting or going to be a problem can be caught early on and can be treated quickly, effectively, and efficiently with less investment of money as well.
Can dental checkups prevent oral health issues?
Yes, they certainly can and they certainly do. You may end up with a big cavity that if left untreated is going to lead to infection. So definitely patients end up with swollen faces and even getting septicemia. It’s a broad range of problems that can happen starting from one small cavity, going all the way to extreme hospitalizations in patients. The same thing holds true for your gum health as well. If your gum's starting from slight inflammation, not being treated can lead to big infections. So we definitely want to make sure you’re keeping your gums and your teeth healthy.
What usually takes place in a dental checkup?
What really takes place when someone comes for a dental checkup is typically, first thing, we will check your medical history and how you're doing. Then we will be doing x-rays, determining what kind and amount are indicated for your case. Those are diagnostic x-rays that help us see anything we are clinically not able to see, like your bone health or what is happening underneath your old fillings, crowns, or other restorations. We will do a very thorough clinical examination, checking your gums, making sure we understand your gum health so we can treat accordingly and give you instructions on how to keep it healthy. We will also check your mouth for any signs of serious problems like oral cancer or other health conditions that can show up in your mouth. So we are looking at very comprehensively evaluating all those areas.
What is a dentist looking for during a dental checkup?
During a dental checkup, a dentist is looking at how the tissue in your mouth looks, if there are any ulcers or inflammation, because many systemic problems can present in your mouth. We are also looking at your gum health, bone level, and the condition of your teeth. Are there any cavities or broken teeth? We will check existing fillings, crowns, or other dental work to see if their integrity is maintained or if there are any cavities, and then formulate a program for you.
How long does a dental checkup usually take?
A dental checkup usually takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on whether you are doing x-rays or other diagnostic processes. So typically 30 minutes to an hour.
Do dental checkups hurt?
Dental checkups usually do not hurt. It’s a simple process where we are basically diagnosing and looking to make sure your mouth looks healthy. There are no needles, no drills, and no pain involved in that.
What is the best way to schedule a dental checkup?
The best way to set up a dental checkup appointment is by giving us a call. You can also visit our website where there's a form you can submit if you're not able to call. You can submit an appointment request form from there, and you can also text us.
I hope I was able to answer some of the questions about dental checkups. If you still have any other questions, we would love to help you out. Stay healthy. Overall health starts from oral health. So give us a call at (603) 634-9445, and we are happy to help you stay healthy.