It's Never Too Late To See Your Dentist
Posted on: 24 January 2023
It can be easy to neglect dental visits. Once you make an appointment for a check-up and cleaning, a lot of time might have passed between visits. That can make things more difficult for dental patients to get back into a healthy dental routine. If it's been some time since you have been to the dentist, it's never too late to start back. To help things go smoother, follow the below tips.
Your cleaning may take a bit longer.
Plaque and tartar can build up on teeth between dental cleaning visits, even if it has only been a few months. This hardened, sticky substance cannot be easily removed at home no matter how good your dental hygiene habits may be. Your dental hygienist will use dental instruments to scrape the stuff off by hand unless your dental office employs an ultrasonic method of cleaning. The more build-up present, the longer it will take to remove. Once done, though, you will appreciate the clean and smooth feeling the cleaning leaves behind.
You may be a bit sore after the cleaning.
A dental cleaning is not something that calls for anesthesia, even when some intense cleaning is needed. Don't be surprised, though, to be a little sore later. Take some over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol or Aleve and the soreness will pass shortly. Stick to softer foods for a day or so to prevent making things worse. Also, don't be alarmed to spot some red stuff during and after the cleaning. Your gum tissue can be extremely thin and fragile, and a bit of bleeding is normal. If you are used to seeing blood when brushing or flossing, though, tell your dentist about it when you meet with them after the X-rays are done. Bleeding that occurs regularly can be a sign of gum disease.
New X-rays are probably needed.
Dentists need to see updated versions of your films. X-rays help dentists track changes in your teeth and gums that could signal a need for preventative treatment. A tiny cavity that cannot be seen in person can jump out at the dentist while reading an X-ray. The cavity, if left untreated, could cause the total destruction of the tooth.
Your last task is to speak to the dentist. They will take into consideration the dental hygienist's report along with the scans and discuss things with you. It would be rare if you have put off a dental visit and don't need to have work done.
To learn more, call a dentist office and make an appointment.
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