10 Things You Never Realized Your Dentist Checked Each Time You Say “Ahh!”

Sure, you understand checkups are important for your dental health. You probably know you should have a checkup and cleaning every six months. But did you ever stop and think how much dental care you actually get during a routine checkup? It’s more than just checking your mouth for cavities and scraping plaque off your teeth — though that’s important too.

In fact, if you knew how much dental care your family dentist packs into each checkup, it would blow our mind! Here are 10 things you probably didn’t realize we were doing when we asked you to say, “Ahh!”

Check Your Gum Health

You know the dentist checks your teeth for cavities — that’s why your fingers are crossed. But did you know we also check your gums for signs of gum disease — receding gums, pink or discolored gums, gums that tend to bleed a lot? These could be signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease. Like cavities, we like to catch gum disease early. That way it’s easier to treat. Regular checkups are critical to maintaining great dental care.

Oral Cancer Screening

In fact, your family dentist even checks your mouth for signs of cancer. We’ll check your lips, head, neck, and mouth tissues like the tongue’s surface for any tissue abnormalities that could be signs of more serious problems. It’s routine, but it’s been known to save lives. Yes, the risk of cancer is another reason you shouldn’t procrastinate seeing your family dentist.

Tongue Screening

In addition to teeth and gums, your dentist will also check your tongue to see that it’s healthy. We’ll examine the size and texture of your tongue — this can be a good way to determine not only your oral health, but your overall health.

Saliva Check

Guess what, we even pay attention to your spit! We’ll routinely check your saliva glands to make sure you are producing enough saliva. A healthy amount of saliva is important because it provides a natural bath for your teeth and gums — it prevents the bacteria that cause tooth decay. If you don’t have enough saliva, your mouth can be prone to tooth decay, bacteria, and infection. It can also cause bad breath. That’s why we always encourage you to chew sugar free. It boosts your saliva production and improves your dental health.

Teeth Polish

Not only will we clean your teeth from excessive tartar, but we’ll also give them a good polish so they retain their pearly white. Not only will your smile look amazing, but polishing helps prevent plaque and tartar from building up on your teeth.

Check Your Bite

A good dentist will take a close look at your bite to see if your teeth have shifted or if there are any signs of malocclusion. This isn’t always bad and may even be necessary, say if you have braces, for example. But it could be the sign of a deeper problem that needs to be addressed. Like cavities and gum disease, it’s best to be proactive when it comes to any teeth shifting issues.

Checking Your Temporomandibular Joint

TMI, or TMJ — most people don’t even know they have a temporomandibular joint, much less that we check it on a routine basis. It’s actually the joint that connects the jawbone and the jaw together! It’s essential to a healthy bite.

Examining Your Tonsils

Assuming you still have them, we’ll check them! Tonsils can tell a lot about a variety of health concerns in the body. A good family dentist will examine tonsils for any signs of swelling or infection. You probably won’t even realize we’re doing it.

Teach You Proper Oral Hygiene

No matter your age, there’s always more to learn. That’s what keeps life interesting and exciting. We’ll go over your oral hygiene and tell you how you’re doing; teach you proper habits and keep you informed of any aspect of your oral health or dental care you might be missing. Nobody’s perfect, but the better we care for our teeth, the healthier our bodies will be overall.

Building a Solid Smile of Great Dental Health

We’re into your family’s dental health for the long game. As your family dentist, we’re interested in laying a solid foundation for a great smile, healthy gums and strong teeth. Kids and adults alike will learn about dental care — why it’s important to brush twice a day for two minutes, why flossing once a day is always recommended.

So yes, we pack a lot of dental care into each appointment. Your family’s health is important to us. Come in and see us sometime!