Perhaps you wonder why it is important to come in for your bi-annual preventive check-up when you take such good care of your teeth at home. Isn’t the whole point of a quick oral examination to polish your teeth and determine if you have any cavities? The answer to that question is yes and no. Professional cleaning is important for the long-term health of your teeth, and Dr. Ahmed does need to routinely check for cavities. However, your twice-yearly appointment is about so much more than teeth cleaning.

The Typical Dental Check-Up at Alpha Dental

While she is busy looking for tooth decay, Dr. Ahmed also checks for gum disease and oral cancer. Spotting either of these conditions early gives you a much better chance of treating them successfully. If you normally wear a dental restoration, such as partial dentures or a dental bridge, Dr. Ahmed checks the condition of those as well.

Patients with significant plaque and tartar build-up may need to return to Alpha Dental for additional treatment. Your dentist will let you know at your check-up if you are a good candidate for a procedure known as root planing and scaling. This can also be part of a treatment plan for gum disease.

Your dental check-up usually includes a set of x-rays to help Dr. Ahmed spot anything out of the ordinary. This includes such things as deep tooth decay, cavities between teeth that may be hard to spot, infections, oral cysts, and impacted wisdom teeth. If your x-rays uncover a problem, Dr. Ahmed may refer you to another dental professional for additional treatment.

Keep Teeth Extra Bright with Professional Teeth Whitening

Even when you brush and floss your teeth twice a day and come in for regular preventive teeth cleaning, your smile may not be as bright as you would like. If not, consider our affordable dental cleaning package that you can use at home. Our staff would be happy to provide additional details by phone or at your next appointment.