Has it been a little while since your last dental checkup? Whether it’s due to cost, time constraints, or anxiety, sometimes you might end up not seeing your dentist for several months or years. However, taking control of your oral health is essential for keeping your smile happy, healthy, and intact for a lifetime. Thankfully, learning more about what to expect during your appointment can help you feel a lot more prepared and confident about your visit. Read on as your friendly Fort Myers dentist goes over what your next dental checkup will look like if you haven’t been in a while.
Checking in for Your Appointment
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, checking in for your appointment will look a little different than it used to. When you arrive to the office and are greeted by the front desk staff, you’ll be asked to fill out some new patient forms about your health and dental insurance if you hadn’t completed them online beforehand. In addition, you’ll be asked a series of health screening questions, have your temperature taken, and be asked to use the provided hand sanitizer.
Meeting Your Fort Myers Dentist
Once you’ve settled into the examination chair, you’ll meet your Fort Myers dentist. They’ll take the time to introduce themselves and get to know you. After reviewing your health history, your goals for your smile, and any concerns you may have, they’ll introduce you to one of their talented dental hygienists.
The Dental Cleaning
As you sit back and relax in the dental chair, either your dentist or their highly trained hygienist will use special tools to clean your teeth. First, they’ll gently scrape away plaque and tartar buildup from all the hard-to-brush areas of your mouth, like behind your back molars and between your teeth. Then, they’ll use a different tool and a somewhat gritty substance to polish away any surface stains on your enamel to leave your pearly whites gleaming and refreshed.
The Dental Exam
Following your cleaning, your dentist will closely inspect your mouth, which typically includes:
- X-rays of your teeth and jaw: These help your dentist detect any hidden cracks, cavities, and other issues.
- Checking your teeth: Your dentist will look for areas of weakened, worn-down, or damaged enamel that could indicate early cavities, bad chewing habits, nightly teeth grinding, and more.
- Gum health check: Using specialized tools, your dentist will measure the health of your gum tissue and look for any signs of infection.
- Oral cancer screening: Your dentist will also be on the lookout for any strange bumps, discolorations, or other symptoms that could warn of cancer anywhere in your mouth, including your gums, tongue, throat, jaw, and head.
Discussing Your Oral Health Care Plan
Afterwards, your dentist will go over their findings with you. If you have any oral health issues that need to be addressed, such as cavities, damaged teeth, or gum disease, they’ll teach you more about the problem and how they recommend correcting it. Once you’ve both discussed and agreed on your next steps towards optimal oral health, the front dents staff will help you schedule your next appointment.
No matter how long it’s been since your last checkup, don’t feel embarrassed about taking charge of your oral health. Your dentist isn’t interested in judging you—they simply want to help you smile! Give them a call today to schedule your next appointment.
About the Author
Dr. George Hoop of Total Dental Solutions for Adults has over three decades worth of experience helping patients achieve the healthy smiles they deserve. Now and always, your health is his top priority. That’s why he’s established a wide array of COVID-19 safety precautions to keep you safe and at-ease when you come in for the dental care you need during the pandemic. To learn more about what you can expect at your next checkup, don’t hesitate to contact him via his website or at (239) 939-7299.