Try to give yourself 10 to 15 minutes of time between your scheduled appointment and when you arrive. That way, when you get to the office, you will have enough time to fill out any forms from the dental receptionist. Remember to bring with you any necessary medical information you may need, such as any prescriptions you are currently taking or your dental insurance information. After all of the necessary forms are filled out, it will be time for you to head to your examination room.

Once you’re brought back into the examination room, your dental hygienist will begin scaling and cleaning your teeth. When scaling, hygienists will use tools to remove plaque and tartar that’s built up on your teeth, which if left untreated can cause gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. Next, the hygienist will rinse out your mouth before beginning to polish and floss your teeth, making them sparkly and clean for your dentist to look at.

The last part of your check-up will involve Dr. John coming in to thoroughly examine your teeth. Often, at this point, the dental team will also take x-rays. These x-rays can show problems that are otherwise hard to detect, such as abscesses, decay, cysts or tumors. As Dr. John is waiting for the x-ray results, he will also be examining your teeth and gums, often doing some extra cleaning and asking some follow-up questions about your oral health and cleaning habits. When the x-ray results have been evaluated and the examination is finished, the dental team will offer suggestions on how you can keep your mouth healthy, and will suggest when you should come to see them again.