Dental Checkups & Maintenance San Antonio
Maintain & Protect Your Precious Smile
For many years, the standard recommendation has been for everyone to visit their dentist twice a year for a checkup and maintenance (also known as “cleaning”). That is not empty advice! Regularly visiting our San Antonio team for basic preventive care can do much to protect your smile from harm. Why are these appointments so important, and what can you expect when you visit us for routine dental maintenance? Continue reading below to find out, or contact us directly to ask questions.
Why Choose Orbis Dental Group for Dental Checkups & Maintenance?
- Highly Skilled Holistic Dental Team
- Minimize Your Risk of Cavities & Gum Disease
- Advanced Technology for Accurate & Thorough Diagnoses
Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Maintenance Important?
If you have good habits and your mouth feels fine, it can be easy to minimize the importance of regular checkups and maintenance. However, the truth is that everyone can benefit from these appointments, even people who are committed to excellent oral care on a daily basis!
Here are some reasons not to skip your biannual appointment:
- Dental problems start out subtly. You may have a small cavity or the start of a gum infection. We can identify these issues, often before they start to cause obvious symptoms.
- We provide tailored advice. If you want to optimize your at-home oral care routine, we can recommend products and techniques to help you.
- At-home oral hygiene cannot get rid of tartar. Tartar is the hardened form of plaque, and your toothbrush cannot remove it. Our instruments, however, can.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
During a dental checkup, our team will:
- Perform a visual examination of your teeth and gums.
- Use a dental probe, intraoral camera, or other tools to get a better understanding of the state of your oral tissues.
- Learn about your medical history and any lifestyle factors that might influence your oral health.
- Take X-rays. (This is not done at every routine appointment. Rather, it may happen once a year or as needed.)
- Talk to you about any concerns we notice, such as cavities, gum disease, worn enamel, etc.
- Recommend a treatment plan for any issues that we diagnose.
- Check your restorations, such as crowns and dental implants, for signs of damage or wear.
- Perform a non-invasive oral cancer screening.
What to Expect During Dental Maintenance
During the maintenance phase of your appointment, your hygienist will:
- Use special instruments to remove plaque and tartar from all the exposed surfaces of your teeth. This is usually an easy and comfortable process for patients, especially if you have good at-home oral hygiene.
- Floss between your teeth.
- Polish your teeth to remove surface stains and make it more difficult for bacteria to cling to them.
- Share tips and answer any questions you have about brushing and flossing your teeth at home.
- Thoroughly clean around any dental prosthetics, such as dental implants or bridges.
Dental Checkups & Maintenance FAQs
Is It Okay to Attend a Checkup & Maintenance Appointment Only Once a Year?
The standard recommendation is that everyone attends a dental checkup and maintenance (cleaning) appointment twice a year, or approximately once every six months. This allows us to help you stay on top of your oral health and catch potential problems in their early stages. Our San Antonio team strongly advises you to comply with this recommendation!
However, if your teeth and gums are in excellent condition, your health is fair, and you have good habits, you might be able to get away with attending an appointment only once a year. To be clear, though, this is not ideal, and it does pose a minor risk to your oral wellness. Plus, because dental insurance often covers two preventive visits a year, there is really no reason not to visit us every six months.
What Should I Do if Dental Cleanings Are Uncomfortable for Me?
We understand that undergoing a dental cleaning can be uncomfortable for some people. These steps might make the experience easier:
- Let our team know if you have a sensitive mouth. We will try to be as gentle as possible. We may also use nitrous oxide or numbing gel to make things easier on you.
- Stick to good habits on a daily basis. Thorough at-home oral hygiene will mean that our hygienists will have to exert less effort during your dental maintenance appointment. This translates to a gentler and easier experience.
- Do not skip dental appointments. The longer you go between dental appointments, the greater the chances that plaque and tartar will accumulate on your teeth, and our team may have to work harder to get rid of these harmful substances.
- Take painkiller beforehand. A dose of ibuprofen or acetaminophen before your appointment might reduce your discomfort.
Are Dental X-Rays Bad for My Health?
Digital dental X-rays emit very little radiation, so there is no need to worry that they will pose a threat to your health. In fact, your annual exposure to radiation from food and water sources can be up to 60 times greater than that from a dental x-ray!
Of course, our team takes a holistic approach to care, so we are judicious when determining when to take X-rays. For most patients, X-rays are necessary only once a year or so.
Is It Safe to Get a Dental Checkup and Maintenance While Pregnant?
Yes, dental appointments are safe during pregnancy! In fact, not visiting the dentist while you are expecting is the more dangerous course. Our team can help you navigate the oral health challenges that come with pregnancy, such as an increased risk of gum disease and potential enamel erosion from frequent vomiting.
Be sure to let our team know that you are pregnant so we can take proper precautions to protect both you and your child.