303.732.8909 |7373 W. JEFFERSON AVE, UNIT 104, LAKEWOOD, CO |BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
What’s Included in a Dental Checkup
at Balanced Dental Studio in Lakewood, CO?
If you’ve scheduled an appointment for a dental checkup at Balanced Dental Studio in Lakewood, CO, you’re taking an important first step in improving your oral health—and, in turn, your overall health. Here’s how to prepare for your appointment and what to expect when you arrive at our dental office.
How do I prepare for my Lakewood, CO
dentist appointment?
The best way to prepare for your dental appointment is to:
- 1Brush and floss your teeth before you arrive
- 2Make notes of any concerns you wish to discuss
- 3Take note of changes to your medical history or medications you’re taking
This allows us to provide you with the best possible and accurate care.
Once we complete your exam, x-rays, and cleaning, we will explain any issues you have and recommend a treatment plan. Our hygienist will also offer tips to improve your at-home oral care regime.
What does a dental cleaning include?
- 1Listening to your concerns about your gum health and overall oral health
- 2A thorough examination using measurements, digital x-rays, and clinical evaluation
- 3Determining what type of cleaning is best for your individual gum health
- 4Removal of plaque and tartar, polishing, and use of a healing laser if needed
In the case where we spot trouble areas with more build-up of plaque and tartar, we’ll offer tips on the proper brushing and flossing technique, as well as discuss the best toothpaste and oral care tools for your particular needs.
What should I do between
dental checkups?
Once you leave our office, it’s important to take our advice and follow the instructions we provide. This can be as simple as ‘keep up the good work’, or more complicated with advice on using special tools to help reduce plaque buildup.
We also might provide recommendations on the best toothpaste to use. For example, if you suffer from tooth sensitivity, we’ll recommend a sensitive formula. Ideally, you should be brushing with a hydroxyapatite toothpaste twice a day and flossing daily. Depending on your risk for dental decay, our team may recommend a fluoride treatment to further strengthen your enamel. This is the best way to reduce plaque buildup which leads to tooth decay and possibly gum disease. Good oral health can also include using mouthwash to help reduce plaque bacteria and provide fresh breath.
Why is a dental checkup important?
Dental checkups are not only important for your oral health, but also for your overall health. Here’s why dental checkups help keep you healthy:
With regular exams and cleanings, your dental care remains more affordable as you stop any decay from progressing. As a result, you reduce the risk for dental pain and costly restorations like root canals or crowns.
Along with our oral cancer check, we also do a thorough exam of your neck, jaw, and lymph nodes for abnormalities. Things such as swollen lymph nodes could indicate possible cancer and other serious diseases. When you visit our office every six months, you reduce the risk of serious conditions going undetected for too long. If we see any potential issues, we will recommend you see the proper medical professional to diagnose serious diseases.
This is an obvious reason you should be seeing our team twice a year. We make sure your brushing and flossing practices are doing their job. We look for issues such as plaque buildup, tartar, cavities, and more. The problem with plaque is that it can be tricky to remove from areas along the gum line, as well as in between teeth. In these areas, it is more likely to harden and turn into tartar, which can’t be removed by a toothbrush or floss. This is where our cleanings come in—to get the stuff you can’t remove.
Plaque and tartar buildup can also lead to gum disease. Tartar can cause infections that can lead to gum recession. In the early stages, we can treat gingivitis to avoid recession and infection before it progresses to more serious conditions such as periodontitis. Periodontitis causes bleeding, swelling, and pain in the gums and can even lead to a breakdown of the bone where your roots are connected. The more time gum disease has to progress, the more risk there is for tooth loss. Gum disease is also a very costly condition that often requires surgery and medication.
As you can see, your dental checkups not only keep your teeth and gums healthy but also keep an eye on important elements of your overall health.
We look for signs of
systemic health problems.
Many times, your mouth can show us if there are potential health problems in the rest of your body. Gum disease is linked to diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Sleep apnea and teeth grinding are directly related. Yellow teeth can show us your breathing patterns aren't correct. Loose teeth can point to osteoporosis. Dry mouth can indicate autoimmune disorders. The mouth can be a window to the rest of the body! If we see something that is concerning, we will be sure to point it out for you!
Ready to schedule an appointment for general dentistry services in Lakewood, CO?
Schedule An
Appointment
Are you ready to smile more, breathe freely, and live better?
We are, too! Give us a call or complete the form to schedule an appointment! We'd love to sit down and discuss how you can achieve better oral health and a beautiful, healthy smile!
Please call 303.732.8909 or use the form to request to schedule an appointment. The Balanced Dental Studio Team will then call you to confirm a date and time.