It’s crucial to schedule routine dental check-ups if you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy. At Family Smile Dental in New York City, the team of experienced dentists offers dental check-ups to people of all ages. Oral exams, digital X-rays, and professional teeth cleaning can reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease. To make an appointment, call the nearest office in the Sheepshead Bay or Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, or book online today.
What are dental check-ups?
A dental check-up is a routine exam that assesses your oral health. Regularly visiting Family Smile Dental for check-ups can alert you to underlying issues and preserve your smile for years to come.
Even if your teeth and gums seem healthy, visit the team twice a year. Doing so can prevent tooth loss, gum disease, and other potentially serious conditions.
What happens during dental check-ups?
At Family Smile Dental, the team tailors dental check-ups to each patient’s needs. Even so, most exams include the same steps:
Step one – Oral exam
During an oral exam, your provider examines the roof and the floor of your mouth, as well as your teeth, gums, tongue, and throat. They look for issues that require treatment, like cavities, gum disease, and oral abscesses.
Step two – Digital X-rays
Digital X-rays use electronic sensors and other advanced technology to capture photos of your tooth roots, alveolar bone (the bone that anchors your teeth), and jaw. X-rays help the team identify issues invisible to the eye, like tooth pulp damage or impacted wisdom teeth.
Step three – Teeth cleaning
During teeth cleaning, your provider uses a tool called a scaler to carefully remove plaque –– a mixture of saliva, food particles, and bacteria –– from your teeth and beneath your gums. After removing the plaque, your provider polishes your teeth with gritty toothpaste and flosses them.
Step four – Fluoride treatment
If you have weak tooth enamel or multiple cavities, the team might recommend a fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen your tooth enamel. In-office fluoride treatment can reduce your risk of decay and prevent the need for extractions.
What should I bring to a dental check-up?
To get the most from a dental check-up, it’s important to prepare in advance. The team at Family Smile Dental recommends bringing the following information to your visit:
- Dental insurance card
- Names of the medications, supplements, or vitamins you take
- Questions or concerns about your oral health
- Results from any recent medical tests, like blood work or X-rays
If you’ve recently moved to the area or you’re switching dental providers, make sure to bring the name and contact information of your previous dentist as well.
To schedule a dental check-up at Family Smile Dental, call the nearest office today or click the online booking feature.
