Dental Checkups at Farmington Family Dental
Hey, this is Dr. Perry from Farmington Family Dental. I wanted to answer some frequently asked questions about dental checkups.
Why do I need regular dental checkups?
You need regular dental checkups because issues happen inside mouths. These issues could be anything from oral cancer—less common, but it can happen—to decay or similar pathology. It could be periodontal disease. We are trying to find those issues and correct them, ideally earlier in the disease process, making it a simpler fix. It's easier on you, less expensive, and more likely to be successful. The earlier we catch it, the better. Typically, we do a 6-month recall to see people, bringing them back into the office about every 6 months, sometimes sooner, to control a disease process so you're not getting unhealthy.
Can dental checkups prevent oral health issues?
Dental checkups can fix oral health issues and, in some cases, prevent them. In the case that you have a molar with deep grooves, we might suggest putting a sealant in it, which would prevent an issue. There are other preventive measures we can take, but most of what we do involves fixing issues, ideally when they're very small.
What is included at a dental checkup at Farmington Family Dental?
A dental checkup at Farmington Family Dental starts with taking X-rays and looking inside your mouth. Typically, I'm called into the room to look for oral cancer, cavities, or decay. I also check for any teeth that are cracked or breaking, or structurally compromised. I am going to look at the state of any dental work that has been done so far. I am going to be looking for any issues that may cause future problems, so we can stop it from becoming a problem and keep you as healthy as possible.
How long does a dental checkup take?
Dental checkups at Farmington Family Dental typically take about an hour. For new patients, it might be a little longer, around an hour and a half. This allows us to answer every question you have and show you what's going on inside your mouth, as well as find a path forward for you to get healthy.
One thing we do a little differently is, we take a lot of time with our patients. You will not leave with any questions unanswered because you didn’t have time to ask them or because I wasn’t open with you. We are very open, and you'll have the opportunity to ask every question you have.
Do dental checkups hurt? Is it painful?
No, I wouldn't expect pain at your dental checkup visit and most visits, by the way.
Now that we've answered some questions about dental checkups at Farmington Family Dental, I'd like to invite you to visit us. We'd be happy to help you maintain your oral health. Give us a call at Farmington Family Dental. Our phone number is (573) 637-4404. We'd be happy to help you.