What to expect at a dentist appointment
Question: I have not been to see a dentist in over ten years when I was a kid. I do not have any major dental issues that I know of but I want to start seeing a dentist regularly what should I expect?
Answer: Since you have not been to a dentist in years it hard to say what dental care you may need. However for just a basic first dental appointment it can go some thing like this:
If the office has a dental hygienist, the hygienist will clean your teeth, do an evaluation and sometimes take X-rays. Then the dentist will check the X-rays and your teeth for signs of decay, check your gums for changes, and check for signs of oral cancer or other diseases.
From time to time, however, your dentist should do a more thorough exam. This is called a comprehensive examination. It includes a thorough look at your entire mouth, head and neck area. The dentist also will ask about your medical history, and you will get X-rays if indicated.