Regular Checkup

Dental check-ups or recall appointments are generally scheduled twice per year. This is important for your oral health as it allows your dentist to check for problems that you might not see or feel. For instance, they allow your dentist to find early signs of decay (decay doesn’t become visible or cause pain until it reaches more advanced stages), and also to treat any other oral health problems found. Generally, the earlier a problem is found, the more manageable it is.

Some patients will be encouraged to have more frequent appointments. Your dentist will want to see you more often if you are being treated for gum disease, or have a higher risk of plaque build-up or dental caries (cavities).

Dental check-ups are usually scheduled along with an appointment to see your dental hygienist. Hygienists document any changes in your overall health and medicine use, clean and polish your teeth, talk to you about caring for your teeth and gums, and answer any questions you might have about home care products. Your dentist will also conduct an oral exam of your gums and teeth, ask about changes in your overall health or medicine use, review the cleaning done by the hygienist, look for signs of oral cancer and other diseases, diagnose any oral health problems and make treatment recommendations.