{"id":902,"date":"2018-06-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-06-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/\/hudsonhighlandsdentistry\/dental-care-blog\/next-dental-appointment-2\/"},"modified":"2018-06-20T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2018-06-20T00:00:00","slug":"next-dental-appointment-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/hudsonhighlandsdentistry\/dental-care-blog\/next-dental-appointment-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Next Dental Appointment"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

\"\" GOING TO THE DENTIST<\/strong> is something we should all be doing twice a year every year. If you\u2019re already in the habit of coming in for regular cleanings, that\u2019s wonderful! If not, here\u2019s what you can expect from a typical cleaning appointment. <\/p>\n

Your Check-Up<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When visiting the dentist for a check-up, there are a few things that will typically happen. If you don\u2019t have any existing dental concerns or conditions, the first step is usually dental X-rays<\/strong>. Your medical and dental history, your age, and your current oral health will determine how often you need these. Dental X-rays help dentists to find and diagnose tooth decay hiding between the teeth and other places hard to see with the naked eye. They also identify dental and orthodontic issues beneath the gums. Next, the hygienist will begin cleaning the teeth<\/strong>. They use a small metal tool called a scaler to scrape away any tartar in between the teeth and around the gumline. Then they\u2019ll polish the teeth using a lightly abrasive paste and a polishing tool. This gives your teeth a nice, deep clean and removes any remaining tartar. They finish the cleaning off with flossing. Once the hygienist is done, it\u2019s the dentist\u2019s turn<\/a>. They\u2019ll review your X-rays, check your teeth and gums for signs of decay and gum disease, measure the depth of your gingival pockets, check for swelling and redness, test how well your teeth come together when you bite down, and examine your neck, lymph glands, and mouth for signs of oral cancer. When they finish, they\u2019ll discuss treatment for any dental work you need and give you tips on improving your daily dental care routine.