Dental hygiene is necessary for reducing bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria accumulate to form plaque that can harden into tartar and lead to ailments such as gingivitis. Gingivitis is a mild kind of gum disease and can advance to periodontal diseases if not removed promptly. Good dental care practices and regular checkups can keep your mouth healthy by preventing decay, tooth loss, infections, inflammation, and other oral issues.

Why Get a Dental Checkup?

Dental checkups allow us to assess your current dental care techniques and offer suggestions for future care to protect you from oral conditions such as cavities and gum disease. They also allow us to identify problems early so they can be fixed quickly and easily.

How Frequently Should You Avail a Dental Checkup?

People must have dental checkups at least once every six months. After a comprehensive exam of your mouth, we can determine how frequent your dental visits should be. It will be based on smoking, the occurrence of cavities, genetic vulnerability to tooth and root decay, and gum disease.

What Can Be Expected From a Dental Checkup?

During a typical dental checkup, we will look for signs of decay and gum disease. An X-ray will be performed to get a more detailed picture of your oral health and to detect any problems more closely. We will inquire about your dental care routine, such as the frequency of brushing and flossing your teeth as well as your toothpaste composition. This information will help us demonstrate proper dental care and suggest ways to improve your habits to promote optimal dental health.

How Should You Prepare for a Dental Checkup?

The perfect way to prepare for a dental exam is to make sure your teeth are clean before you arrive for your appointment. Our team will clean your teeth, but it would be helpful to remove food and plaque beforehand to focus on the more challenging areas.

We will also be asking you for some vital information such as your medical history, insurance coverage, and current dental care methods with us. It will help if you have observed any changes with your teeth, gums, or the inside of your mouth in between your appointments. The sooner we know about pain, sensitivity, or a suspicious lump, the earlier we can diagnose and treat it.

If you are interested in having dental checkups, visit us at Shepherd Dental at 235 E Hildebrand Ave #100, San Antonio, TX 78212, or call at (210) 820-0400 and schedule an appointment.