In our last blog we discussed why going back to the dentist is so important and how you can start the process of returning to the dental chair even if it’s been years. If you’re someone who hasn’t seen a dentist in far too long, you might now be wondering, “What to expect at my first dentist appointment in years?” This blog is for you. Overcoming the hesitation to revisit the dentist after a prolonged interval is commendable and an essential stride towards regaining your optimal oral health. Let’s dive in.
Contents
- Updating Your Dental X-Rays After Several Years Away
- Remember How Great Your Teeth Feel After A Professional Cleaning?
- Keep Gum Health In Check By Visiting The Dentist
- Make Sure Your Dentist Takes Time To Explain What They Found
- Personalizing A Treatment Plan To Improve Your Oral Health
- Get The Expert Oral Hygiene Advice You’ve Been Missing
- Set Up (And Show Up For) Your Next Dentist Appointment
Updating Your Dental X-Rays After Several Years Away
If it’s been several years since your last dental visit, dentists like to take a full set of x-rays during your first visit back. X-rays allow us to see below the surfaces of your teeth and gums. This can reveal issues not visible during a regular exam, such as:
- Decay between teeth
- Bone loss
- Abscesses
- Cysts
- Impacted teeth
A full mouth series of x-rays includes 14-22 images, providing a comprehensive view of all your teeth above and below the gumline. This allows the dentist to thoroughly examine the entire mouth. If we spot any issues in the x-rays, we’ll probably take additional images from specific angles to further assess the problem areas. The x-rays are essential for detecting issues that can’t be found through a visual inspection alone and allow us to develop a more accurate treatment plan.
Remember How Great Your Teeth Feel After A Professional Cleaning?
After the initial exam and x-rays, the dental hygienist will perform a professional cleaning. This is a standard part of any dental visit, but for someone who hasn’t had their teeth cleaned in several years, the hygienist may need to spend extra time removing plaque and tartar buildup.
If there is significant tartar buildup below the gumline, our hygienist may recommend a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. This procedure involves numbing the area and then using ultrasonic devices and hand instruments to thoroughly clean down to the roots. It removes hardened deposits both above and below the gumline that could potentially cause gum disease.
A deep cleaning may take longer and require multiple appointments to complete. It can effectively treat early-stage gum disease by removing built-up plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing cannot reach. Addressing these issues promptly leads to healthier gums and teeth over the long term.
Keep Gum Health In Check By Visiting The Dentist
Given the gap in dental care, we will want to pay special attention to your gum health. To do this, we measure the depth of the pockets around each tooth using a periodontal probe to check for signs of gingivitis or periodontitis.
Some of the things we want to watch out for include gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums caused by a buildup of plaque. It usually manifests as red, swollen gums that may bleed easily. We also look for periodontitis, which is a more advanced gum disease that damages the tissues and bone supporting the teeth. It’s characterized by receding gums and deeper periodontal pockets.
If we find deeper pockets around certain teeth, it could indicate that you have some degree of gum disease that requires treatment. The depth of the pockets, amount of plaque and tartar below the gumline, and any bone loss seen on x-rays will help to determine the severity. More intensive periodontal therapy like deep cleanings or surgery may be needed depending on the diagnosis.
Make Sure Your Dentist Takes Time To Explain What They Found
After the comprehensive exam, x-rays, and cleaning, we will explain any issues. At Cedarwood Dentistry we usually point out any concerning areas on the x-rays themselves. If we find periodontal disease, we’ll talk about the extent of the damage and what stage of disease you have based on the gum pocket measurements.
During these discussions, we inform you of any decay between teeth, bone loss around teeth, or abnormal growths, gingivitis, cavities, or broken dental work and the severity of each before working with you to recommend a personalized treatment plan that will resolve the issue according to your own goals and lifestyle.
Personalizing A Treatment Plan To Improve Your Oral Health
Since this is your first dentist appointment in years, you will most likely require more frequent follow up visits to address any issues we find during your first visit back in years.
On the initial visit back, you may learn that you require follow-up appointments for fillings, crowns, gum treatments, extractions, or other procedures. It’s important not to delay these treatments, as waiting longer could allow the conditions to get worse. We’ll create a dental treatment plan just for you that aims to stabilize any issues as soon as possible.
Addressing problems early prevents more complex procedures being required down the road. With a customized treatment plan and commitment to oral health, you can restore your teeth and gums to a healthy state.
Get The Expert Oral Hygiene Advice You’ve Been Missing
Since this is your first dentist appointment in years, we may recommend specific oral hygiene products to help improve gum health and prevent further plaque buildup. This could include prescription strength fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen tooth enamel. Another example is antiseptic mouthwashes, which can reduce bacteria and inflammation, especially if gum disease is present. With proper technique and the right tools, we can greatly improve your oral hygiene.
Set Up (And Show Up For) Your Next Dentist Appointment
The standard recommendation for visits is usually every 6 months, but you will probably need a little more attention, so your dentist may suggest coming back in just 3-4 months after this initial visit.
The reasoning is that if we detect issues like gum disease or other problems, we’ll want to monitor them more closely. More frequent appointments allow us to keep a close eye on any conditions, ensure treatments are working as intended, and promptly catch any further developments. Rather than wait the full 6 months, we like to have you come back sooner to reevaluate your treatment plan if needed.
A lot of people get nervous about a dentist visit after a long gap, however, knowing what to expect at your first dentist appointment in years can help prepare you for your visit. Updated dental X-rays, comprehensive cleanings, and thorough examinations will all contribute to getting you on the path to optimal oral health.
At Cedarwood Dentistry we love helping patients improve their overall health by working with them to address their oral health. If it’s been a minute since your last dental visit, know you’re not alone and we’re here to help you get back on track. Schedule an appointment or contact our office to get started!