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A dentist visit can prevent small problems from becoming large problems. Image credit: Peter Skadberg, sxc.hu/profile/plex

This is a little embarrassing, but I used to think people only went for a dentist visit if they were experiencing tooth pain. I had no idea anyone ever went for a dentist visit just to have their teeth cleaned. I mean, what was all that brushing for then?

Why Schedule a Routine Dentist Visit?

Brushing and flossing are great, but for a deep clean you need a dentist visit. The dental hygienist will scrape off all the plaque and tartar that has built up on your teeth. No matter how good you brush and floss, you will have some build up that you can’t reach without dental tools.

According to the American Dental Association, your dentist will also check your mouth for signs of oral cancer, tooth decay, and gum disease. It’s better to prevent these serious complications than try to cure them.

How Often Should You Schedule a Dentist Visit?

Some dental insurance will cover two annual routine dentist visits. However, Dr. Cliff Swanlund, president-elect of the Alberta Dental Association says some people only need to schedule a routine dentist visit once a year. It depends on the general health of your teeth, gums, and bones. Only your dentist can help you decide how often you should have a visit.

What Happens at a Dentist Visit?

Several things can happen during a routine dentist visit.  First, you will see a dental hygenist.  The dental hygenist will scrape the plaque and tartar from your teeth.  She will also take notice of any obvious cavaties or gum disease that may be present.

After your teeth have been scraped, the dental hygenist will floss your teeth.  Then your teeth will be polished.  None of this hurts, though the scraping can be a little uncomfortable if you have a lot of build up.

You might also have X-rays taken at this time.  Insurance companies usually cover one set of X-rays per year.

After your teeth are clean and polished, the dentist will come in.  During the dentist visit, he will exam each tooth to see if there are any cavaties or other indications of tooth decay.

At this time, the dentist will make any recomendations.  You may have cavaties that need to be filled, which means you will need to schedule a follow-up dentist visit.