Dental checkups ensure your teeth and gums are healthy year after year. They’re an excellent way to identify oral problems at their early stages and prevent potential issues from becoming severe. But, many people feel anxious about visiting the dentist regularly because they’re unsure what to expect during a routine dental checkup. 

Read on to learn more about what happens during a dental checkup to reduce your anxiety. 

An Oral Examination

A dentist or dental hygienist will perform a thorough examination of your teeth and gums for signs of oral disease. Things they’ll look out for are:

• Tooth decay. While they’re at it, they’ll also look to see if any tooth enamel has softened. This is to help prevent any cavities in the future.
• Periodontal disease. A dental professional will measure the pockets around your teeth to see if any bone has been lost to gum disease.
• Bite evaluation. Your dentist will perform a bite analysis to determine if you have a bad bite.
• Teeth development (for children). A dental professional can closely monitor your child's teeth development and eruption pattern so orthodontic referrals can be made if needed.
• VELScope. A hand held device used to perform a  simple painless procedure to screen for any abnormalities in the soft tissues, which include your cheeks, tongue and palate. This exam can only be provided in your dental office and we are proud to be able to offer it to you at Dental Image Therapy Centres!

A Thorough Cleaning

We recommend having your teeth cleaned during your routine checkup to keep your teeth and gums healthy. A dental hygienist will scale above and below the gum line, removing built-up plaque and tartar that can cause gum disease, cavities, bad breath and other problems. Then, they’ll polish your teeth with a special paste to remove any stains.

You’ll also get a fluoride rinse or gel put on your teeth. You’ll either swish around the rinse in your mouth for about a minute or get fluoride gel painted onto your teeth. Fluoride helps keep your enamel strong and is added protection against tooth decay.

Dental X-Rays

During your appointment, we’ll take bitewing x-rays and occasionally a panoramic x-ray, periapical or occlusal x-ray. X-rays are valuable as they can diagnose problems otherwise unnoticed by the naked eye, such as damage to jawbones, impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts or tumours, and cavities between your teeth.  

If you’re worried about radiation from x-rays, don’t be. Today, x-ray machines emit little radiation, less than you’d get from a one-hour plane ride, so it’s safe for anyone to use, even children. That being said, it’s always best to inform your dental team if you’re pregnant and they’ll be able to weigh the benefits of the information from an x-ray with the potential risk to the baby. 

Dental Image Therapy Centres provide a comprehensive range of dental services, including routine dental checkups. If you’re looking for a dentist in Winnipeg to offer reliable dental advice and help you with your dental problems, book an appointment with us today or visit our clinics at St. Vital Centre and Garden City Shopping Centre.