The American Dental Association recommends that everyone visit their dentist at least twice a year for routine care—and for several good reasons! These appointments are instrumental in the prevention of serious oral health issues that won’t just hurt your smile, but also your wallet down the road. If it’s been a while since your last checkup and cleaning, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact our team here at Woodsprings Family Dentistry; we can’t wait to work with you toward improving the wellness and beauty of your smile!
Even if you’re incredibly diligent about brushing and flossing your teeth every day, it’s still possible for issues to pop up that threaten your smile. The inside of your mouth is a complicated environment and there’s quite a lot going on, so it’s not always apparent when something is wrong—nor are all of these issues preventable with at-home hygiene alone.
During a dental checkup, Dr. Yarnell and her team can closely inspect your teeth, gums, and other elements of your smile for anything concerning. She’ll know the moment that something doesn’t look right, and she’ll be able to implement a treatment plan and closely monitor things moving forward. She’ll also take the time to thoroughly clean your teeth at a level you cannot carry out at home, meaning that you won’t just be leaving her office with a healthier smile, but also a brighter one!
The beginning of every dental checkup involves a quick review and update of your medical records so that Dr. Yarnell is aware of any important and relevant changes. Next, she’ll conduct a very detailed examination of every part of your smile, using special magnifying lenses in addition to capturing X-ray images of your entire jaw. She’ll be checking for hidden signs of decay, gum disease, and other things that threaten your wellness. This also includes screening you for oral cancer—though serious, this form of cancer is often quite treatable if caught early!
Finally, we’ll walk you through all of our findings and bring you up to speed regarding what you need to know. If there’s anything we need to address, we’ll be sure you’re aware of when and how it can be handled.
Following the examination comes the cleaning portion of the visit. Over time, your teeth can become mildly stained due to the things you eat and drink, as well as other lifestyle factors and habits. Brushing and flossing can mitigate this to some extent, but ultimately, your teeth need help to look their best and remain resilient, which is where we come in!
Using special tools and equipment, Dr. Yarnell and her team can carefully buff away stains and areas of stubborn discoloration, resulting in teeth that shine brighter than ever before. They’ll also apply fluoride treatments that will only further benefit your teeth by enhancing your enamel. By the end of the visit, you’ll have a noticeably brighter and cleaner smile that might even make you feel more inclined to maintain it moving forward!