For some, going to the dentist is about as enjoyable as a stomachache. It can seem very uncomfortable to have someone poking around inside your mouth.
Not to mention the fact that some of the appliances used to clean and check teeth resemble instruments you would expect to find in a medieval torture chamber. What is he going to do with that curved pointy tool?
Indeed, getting one’s teeth cleaned and examined can be a frightening experience. It does not, however, need to be so.
When you understand the basic procedures that are undertaken during a cleaning and examination, you will be able to relax a little more while sitting in that big, padded chair. So, what should you expect the next time you go to the dentist?
One of the first things that will be asked of you is the completion of a medical history, especially if you are a new patient. You will need to provide information on any allergies you have, medications you are taking, and medical conditions you have.
All of this information is necessary to protect your safety as a patient. If you omit anything from your medical history, you dentist may unwittingly give you a medication or anesthetic to which you will react badly.
After you have completed the medical history form, you will be asked to remain in the waiting room until the dentist is ready to see you. It should only be a short time before the dentist or a hygienist comes out to get you.
A dental hygienist has the responsibility, in most cases, of cleaning your teeth. During this process, that curved pointy implement we mentioned before, which is called a pick, will be used to scrape away tartar that has accumulated on your teeth.
Tartar is hardened plaque that collects around the base of the tooth. The amassing of this substance can often be prevented by brushing and flossing every day.
If, however, you have not been as diligent in brushing and flossing as you should have, the hygienist will have to scrape it off using the pick. This scraping, though, is generally not painful.
Should you experience any pain during this part of the cleaning, make it known to the hygienist so that he or she will know to change his or her technique. Hygienists want the cleaning to be as painless as you do, so be sure to speak up if something seems wrong.
As the tartar is scraped away, the hygienist will frequently squirt water into your mouth. You will be asked to use this water to rinse your mouth.
Rinsing will allow any loose particles of tartar to be removed, preventing it from reattaching to the teeth in the future. A suction device will then be used to siphon the water and tartar from your mouth.
Your hygienist may also floss in between your teeth. Flossing will remove any food particles that have become lodged in between your teeth.
When all the tartar and stray food particles have been removed, your teeth will be ready to be polished. Polishing the teeth makes them nice and shiny.
Not only is the appearance of the teeth improved, but all exposed surfaces of the teeth are smoothed by the polish as well. Polishing will leave your smile bright and healthy.
After the cleaning is complete, it will be time for the dentist to make an examination of your teeth. This part of the appointment may take place before the cleaning, but usually is done afterward.
During the examination, the dentist will visually inspect your teeth. He cannot, however, be certain that you do not have any cavities or problem areas just by looking at your teeth.
He must use a probe to test the surfaces of each of the teeth. Probing usually does not cause discomfort.
If, however, you do experience any amount of pain, alert your dentist so that he can determine what the problem is. Remember, it is your mouth, so feel free to express yourself.
When all of your teeth have been examined, the dentist may x-ray your mouth. Taking images of your teeth and jaw bone allows the dentist to see whether there are any problems that a visual and tactile inspection did not make apparent.
The x-ray process should only take a few minutes. Once the x-rays have been taken, your dentist or hygienist will follow up with you.
Pay attention to what you are told. It will be important that you follow the instructions given in order to have your next visit to the dentist be as painless as this one. .