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What To Expect At the Dentist

HomeWellnessWhat To Expect At the Dentist

Dental appointments can be stressful especially for those who have an innate phobia towards it. The best way of coping the stress is by preparing oneself before visiting the dentist. Once you get to know what the probable steps are and do a rough run-through in your mind, there will be less scope of unwanted surprises.

Scheduling an Appointment

The first step would be getting your appointment scheduled. This can be made through phone call or online booking services. Make sure to get it done at a time when you can devote yourself completely for dental examination and treatment procedure if any. If it is the first visit, you should keep in mind that the appointment time might be slightly longer as compared to the rest of the visits. So, try not to line up important events soon after your dental appointment as there is a slight chance of missing them or reaching late for the same.

Waiting Period

As you reach the dental office, show yourself at the reception. This helps the staff to note down your time of arrival and carry out the necessary preparations before you step in. Failing to approach the reception may cause unnecessary delay in the entire process. As you already have a prior appointment the waiting period shouldn’t be that long.

Examination

The first session of your interaction with your dentist would generally compose of the recording of your case history. Hence, you will be asked questions pertaining to the dental problem you are having, the associated signs and symptoms, any previous dental history, any medication you are on and so on. It is advisable to tell everything to your doctor as asked as your history is of great value in making an accurate diagnosis and preparing your treatment plan. Check This Out if you are looking for affordable and reliable dental care services, then you have come to the right place.

Clinical examination of teeth is the most important step where your dentist will check each tooth for any present problems or for problems that may develop in the future. Your gums and the inside of the mouth like palate or surface underneath the tongue are also evaluated. While physical examination helps in viewing the teeth and gums clinically, radiographs or Xrays (as they are called commonly) are important diagnostic aids and help to understand what exactly is happening within your jawbones. DNA Dental website has a team of skilled, compassionate dental practitioners committed to delivering you the best quality dental care and treatments.

Generally, a full mouth radiograph is advised. Your dentist may suggest other types of X-rays depending on the situation. For instance, a person seeking treatment with braces may be advised to go for special x-rays called Lateral Cephalogram. With the advancement in technology, digital radiographs have made the job of both the doctor and the patient a lot quicker and easier. Once the x-rays are passed through the required area of the mouth and recorded on a digital film, it can be viewed in detail with the help of a computer screen connected to the X-ray machine. Apart from that, the level of exposure to Xrays is also quite less as compared to conventional radiographs.

Treatment

Cleaning of teeth is one of the routine procedures performed as the first step of a regular dental checkup. This procedure helps the removal of hard and soft deposits from the teeth and allows the dentist to inspect the areas that may need urgent attention. Deposits can mask areas that are about to grow into cavities. Besides, professional dental cleaning is an essential step towards maintaining healthy and strong gums.

Your dental hygienist will drape you before starting off the dental cleaning. As the hygienist takes the ultrasonic tip around your teeth, cleaning them off one by one, you may not feel anything except the buzzing sound. You may experience slight discomfort in areas where your teeth have lesser enamel. You can raise your hand to indicate your discomfort and the hygienist will stop the procedure instantly. After the removal of tartar, the dental hygienist will proceed to the step of polishing of teeth. The main purpose of polishing is to smoothen all the rough surfaces of teeth (that develop normally after cleaning). Rough surfaces, when left untreated, are a source of constant irritation to the tongue and an excellent zone for microbial activity. The bacteria form a slimy film around the rough surfaces and that is called plaque.

As a measure of prevention of dental decay, your dentist may recommend you fluoride varnish application for your teeth. The fluorides fortify the teeth and prevent it from breaking down to dental cavities. The teeth are composed of hydroxyapatite crystals that form the foundation of the tooth structure. In areas that have been affected by bacterial action, there is some loss of hydroxyapatite crystals. This leads to weakening of tooth structure which eventually leads to the breakdown of teeth to form deformities. Fluorides fortify teeth by binding to the teeth in the form of fluorapatite crystals. These crystals are immune to bacterial attack and act as a replacement to the lost hydroxyapatite crystals. Wonderful Fluoride Varnish is one of the best fluoride varnishes available because of its amazing taste, smooth application, maximum fluoride uptake, and allergen-free properties. One of the other advantages of Wonderful Fluoride Varnish is that it is beneficial for both kids and adults and is a common favorite. After all, who can resist interesting flavors like mint, strawberry, chocolate, and mint!

Fluoride mouth rinse is another way of strengthening your teeth but the duration for which the fluorides remain active is quite less as compared to fluoride varnish application. The mouthwash is swished inside the mouth for a few seconds and then spat out. The absorption of fluoride ions on the outer surface of teeth is quite questionable owing to the less exposure time. Hence, fluoride varnish application should be one of the routine steps you follow every six months while going for a dental examination.

An aching tooth may need root canal treatment. If your dental problem is acute like pain or swelling, the doctor would also prescribe you painkillers and antibiotics if required. If there are issues like gaps in between your teeth, you may need cosmetic procedures like laminates or dental crowns. If a tooth needs a small filling like composite bonding, it can be planned for the same day only if there is time left in your appointment slot. In case of missing teeth, your dentist may advise you dental bridge or dental implants. If you have jaw-joint related problems, you will be referred to a TMJ specialist. Those who are looking for a complete smile makeover, an elaborate treatment plan is designed to address the various issues affecting the aesthetics of the smile.

Follow-up Visit

Depending on the nature of the dental problem you have, you will be given an appointment for your next step or if the treatment is over you will be recalled for a follow-up.

Once your dentist does his job, it is your responsibility to take care of your mouth. Small and simple steps like brushing twice daily and flossing once a day can help you in maintaining your teeth and gums in good shape. Dietary restrictions are important for overall health and have quite a great impact on maintaining oral health and hygiene. Avoiding sugary, sweet and sticky foods is just one such dietary modification. Apart from that, one should put a conscious effort to include organic foods like fresh fruits and green vegetable in the diet.

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