Dental Appointments Twice a Year: Urban Myths or a Real Thing
It is common to suggest to patients that they visit the dentist twice every year, to have their teeth cleaned or do an annual check. You might be curious: is it really necessary? Let’s begin with what “cleaning” really means. (I should also mention that hygienists detest the term “cleaning”, as that is really only a fraction of what the appointment is about.) Here is the inside story of what REALLY happens at your six-month dental hygiene appointment!
The appointment begins when you arrive and fill out a health history form
While some people find this an annoyance, it needs to be done for two reasons: the body is one large system, and any ailments, inflammation, medications, and etc. can affect your oral health; secondly, we are required by the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan to update patient medical records on a regular basis. The hygienist prepares for your appointment by reviewing your past history, x-rays, and any health issues you’ve identified. If you are also seeing a specialist for outstanding treatment, they will have read the letters from those offices as well. They also ensure their operatory is set up for both your comfort and safety.
Your hygienist will let you know all the changes in your mouth
Once in the hygienist’s chair, they will discuss with you any changes you may have noticed in your mouth, or any areas the dentist need to have a look at. Then the real work begins: checking your bone levels, the depths of the periodontal pockets (gums), any tissue bleeding, cancer screening of mouth and neck area including notice of lesions. Then finally, removing calculus build up on your teeth (the “cleaning”!). Polishing your teeth is optional, as there is no real benefit in terms of oral health. Polish makes your teeth have that fabulously smooth feeling and can also remove some staining problems. You may also ask about in-office or take home whitening options.
Fluoride may also be suggested at your dental hygiene appointment
Your hygienist assesses the needs of your mouth, and often suggest that you use fluoride appropriately once per year. This can be in a gel, foam, varnish, or rinse. Patient education is also a key component of your appointment: ensure that proper flossing and brushing techniques are demonstrated and understood. We ask our patients to take x-rays once a year, and have Dr. Dodds do an exam as well. We recommend once a year because things can change quite quickly in the mouth. If a problem is left too long, it will only worsen. For instance, a simple filling can turn into an expensive crown if the bacteria continue to erode the tooth.
Visiting twice a year helps to maintain good oral health
Visiting twice a year helps to maintain good oral health, and ensures any issues are dealt with in a timely manner, so that they are less invasive and less costly. For some people it may actually be 3-4 times per year. The frequency depends on how susceptible your mouth is to plaque build-up, and how much time you are spending on your oral care at home. We are a caring team, and we are ready to help our patients with all types of dental problems. If you need information on how to make your dental insurance works best for you, please see our blog on dental insurance.
