Dental Exams and Cleanings By Stephen Dowell, DDS on November 26, 2018

Regular brushing and flossing can do a lot for your dental health, but it’s not always enough. Visiting Dowell Dental Group regularly allows your teeth and gums to the get the professional attention they deserve. Dr. Stephen C. Dowell will take x-rays, look at your teeth and gums closely, clean them thoroughly, and determine if additional dental procedures and advanced dentistry treatments are required to improve your oral health.

The team at our Minerva, OH dental care center would like to consider the importance of routine dental exams and cleanings. This may be the basics, but it’s a great reminder of why the basics are essential for great dental health.

How Often Should I Visit the Dentist?

Ideally, people should visit a dentist every six months. Meeting with a dentist twice a year means routine checkups and maintenance of your teeth and gums, giving time for proper diagnosis as well as preventative care.

What Happens During an Exam?

Dental exams can vary from dentist to dentist and from patient to patient, but there are a few common procedures you can expect.

• Routine Cleaning - Routine cleanings involve a thorough flossing followed by a meticulous polishing of the teeth using an electric toothbrush. Sometimes a cleaning is followed by a fluoride treatment to help strengthen the tooth enamel, though this is more common with younger patients.
• Dental X-Rays - Dental x-rays allow dentists to get a better understanding of your teeth, their position in your mouth, and the structure of your jawbone. These x-rays are essential for diagnosing problems, and initiating preventative care.
• Examining the Teeth and Gums - Your dentist will do more than just take x-rays during your visit. They will also check your teeth and gum up close. They’ll look for signs of tooth damage, gum disease, cavities, and even lesions, sores, and signs of oral cancer.
• Planning Ahead - Typically each visit ends with a discussion of what’s next regarding your dental health. There may be a visit sooner than six months for necessary dental work, or just a reminder that you should schedule a visit six months down the road.

Why You Should Discuss Problems with Your Dentist

During your dental visit, feel free to discuss any dental problems you have with your dentist. Even though x-rays are taken and dentists will check your mouth carefully, there may be unique issues that are not detected. Recurring dental pain, grinding in the jaw, persistent dry mouth, and so forth are all worth discussing with your dentist.

Remember, the point of these checkups is to make sure you’re in good dental health. Speak with your dentist about oral health concerns just like you would bring up wellness issues with your general practitioner.

What If I Have Dental Concerns Between Check-Ups?

If you experience dental pain, a jaw problem, chronic bad breath, or some other dental health problems between checkups, do not hesitate to contact your dentist. We are here for you, and are ready to discuss your concerns and look into them as they arise.

Contact Dowell Dental Group

For more information about regular dental care and how we can help you have a healthy smile, be sure to contact our experienced cosmetic and restorative dentists. You can reach our two offices in Minerva at (330) 868-5001 and (330) 868-5080. You can also reach our Carrollton office at (330) 627-5005 and our Dover office at (330) 364-1414.