When was the last time you visited the dentist? If it’s been longer than you’re proud to admit, you may be reluctant to schedule your next appointment out of anxiety, fear, or shame. However, taking control of your oral health and seeing your dentist regularly plays a key role in keeping your smile happy, healthy, and intact for a lifetime. Thankfully, you’re likely to feel much more confident about scheduling and attending your first visit in years when you know what to expect. Read on as your friendly DeSoto dentist goes over what your next appointment will look like.
Arriving to the Office
When you arrive to the office for your scheduled appointment, you’ll be greeted by the front desk staff. They’ll ask you to fill out some new patient forms that inquire about your dental insurance (if applicable), your health history, and your contact information. After just a few minutes in the reception area, you’ll be called back to the clinical part of the practice.
Meeting Your DeSoto Dentist
Once you set your things down and get comfortable in the examination chair, you and your dentist will spend a few minutes talking. They’ll take the time to get to know you, your health history, your goals for your smile, and your concerns. It’s also a great time for you to bring up any questions you may have about taking care of your oral health at home or a new dental symptom you’ve noticed.
The Dental Cleaning
With time permitting, the next part of your appointment will be the dental cleaning. As you sit back and relax in the reclined examination chair, your dentist or a highly trained dental hygienist will use specialized tools to clean your smile. They’ll gently scrape away built up plaque or tartar from all the hard to clean areas of your mouth like behind your back molars and between your teeth. Then, surface stains on your enamel are carefully polished away to leave your pearly whites bright and refreshed.
The Dental Exam
Next, your dentist will closely inspect your teeth and gums. This thorough examination includes:
- X-rays of your mouth: Digital X-rays are a quick, safe, and easy way to look for any oral health issues that may be hiding beneath your gumline.
- Looking for damaged enamel: Your dentist will be look for areas of weakened, worn-down, or damaged enamel. They’ll be able to spot the earliest warning signs of cavities, bad chewing habits, nightly teeth grinding, and more.
- Gum health check: Using specialized tools, your dentist will measure the health of your gums and check for any symptoms of a common oral health condition known as gum disease.
- Oral cancer screening: Your dentist will also inspect your tongue, cheeks, throat, jaw, neck, and head for any abnormal bumps or discolorations that could indicate oral cancer.
Discussing Your Personal Care Plan
At the end of your checkup, your dentist will go over anything that they discovered with you. They’ll also recommend how to address these issues, whether that’s coming back for a filling, getting gum disease treatment, or simply changing your at-home dental routines. After you’ve both agreed on the best way to continue taking care of your smile, the front desk staff will help you schedule your next appointment.
No matter how long it’s been since your last appointment, your dentist isn’t interested in making you feel judged. They simply want to help you smile! Schedule your visit today and start your journey towards better oral health.
About the Practice
At Amaze Dental, we’re proud to provide the smiles of DeSoto, TX and the surrounding communities with honest, trustworthy, and high-quality dentistry. Dr. Suzanne Najjar has outfitted her practice with state-of-the-art dental technology to ensure every treatment is as precise and comfortable as possible. This equipment helps her offer a comprehensive menu of services to help you get over nearly any oral health issue. If you have more questions about your checkup, feel free to contact her via her website or at (972) 230-1100.