A routine dental exam can help both kids and adults enjoy good oral health and lower the risk of issues like cavities or even gum disease. Which is why we suggest a visit for people of all ages every six months. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about how we help smiles of all ages with dental exams and cleanings.
The Dental Checkup
We want to see you and your family for a dental checkup every six months. For kids, after an initial wellness visit at age one, routine visits should begin around age two. During the checkup, we will examine your smiles with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, so we can obtain high-definition images of your teeth, gums, roots, and oral structures, making a diagnosis with precision. Our team can identify areas that need attention and then create a treatment plan. For adults, we will look for signs of tooth decay, gingivitis, and gum disease. We also look at possible indicators of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding) and will screen for oral cancer.
Exams for Children
For kids, we always take time to answer their questions and carefully examine the tools we use and what we are looking for. We want to make sure children always feel comfortable and relaxed during their time with us, so they look forward to upcoming visits and don’t develop dental anxiety. Along with watching for common issues like tooth decay and gingivitis, we also want to make sure baby teeth fall out on time and that permanent teeth can erupt properly so kids avoid misalignment. We also want to take time to talk to your kids about proper oral huge and healthy snack habits, so they can lower their risk of tooth decay in between their six-month visits to our office.
Cleaning Smiles of All Ages
Following the exam portion of the visit, we will clean the smile. For kids and adults alike, we will use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to gently and thoroughly break up and remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. We then polish the teeth for a brighter appearance and to make it more difficult for buildup to accumulate in between cleaning visits. The process helps lower the risk of bad breath, teeth stains, cavities, and gingivitis and gum disease.
If you have any questions about our dental checkups and cleanings, or if you would like to schedule a visit, then contact our team today to learn more.
Dental Impressions Offers Preventive Treatment for Families
We want to help your loved ones avoid the onset of poor oral health! To schedule your appointment and learn more about general dentistry, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
