{"id":319,"date":"2025-02-07T19:07:09","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T19:07:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cherrichdds.com\/blog\/?p=319"},"modified":"2025-03-21T19:09:30","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T19:09:30","slug":"preventative-preparation-what-to-expect-at-your-appointment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cherrichdds.com\/blog\/2025\/02\/07\/preventative-preparation-what-to-expect-at-your-appointment\/","title":{"rendered":"Preventative Preparation: What to Expect at Your Appointment"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Woman<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Did you know that the American Dental Association recommends seeing your provider every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning<\/a>? Despite this, only an estimated 40% to 45% of adults had a visit in the past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proper preventative care, including consistent checkups with your dentist, helps you avoid common concerns to preserve your smile. However, many patients hesitate to schedule an appointment if it\u2019s been a while since they had one because they are unsure what to expect. Continue reading to learn 3 things that typically happen during routine visits to ease your anxiety!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Updating Medical History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first thing your dental team will do when you arrive at the office is update your medical history and list any current prescriptions or supplements that you\u2019re taking. Plenty of people expect this from their doctor\u2019s office but are surprised when their dentist also needs their stats and information<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, your oral condition affects and is impacted by your general health, and your provider wants to avoid treatments and medications that might interfere with any known conditions. They can better protect your smile without harming your overall well-being by keeping your record current.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Dental Examination<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After your information is updated, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to ensure no issues have developed since your last appointment. They check for common concerns like tooth decay, periodontal problems, and other injuries. They even screen the soft tissues of your mouth for signs of oral cancer to prevent this rare yet potentially deadly condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many providers also take X-rays at least once annually to ensure that no hidden ailments have developed beneath the surface of your connective tissues. Imaging allows them to see what\u2019s invisible to the naked eye to protect your grin.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Thorough Cleaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After your dentist examines your mouth, your hygienist will thoroughly wash your teeth and gums. First, they\u2019ll use a specially designed instrument called a \u2018scaler\u2019 to scrape stubborn plaque and tartar off your enamel. Once they\u2019ve gone over each pearly white, they\u2019ll thoroughly floss your gums to eradicate disease-causing germs. Finally, they\u2019ll use a special electric brush to polish your teeth, which removes more recent surface stains so that you smile sparkles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on your circumstances, they might also include a topical fluoride treatment to remineralize your enamel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re concerned that your dentist might call you out for the lengthy wait between appointments, you can set your concerns aside. Usually, they\u2019re more concerned with boosting your oral health than wanting to berate you for the delay!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meet the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Cher Rich has 20+ years of experience helping families in Houston build and maintain their happiest, healthiest smiles. She earned her dental degree at the University of Texas at Houston Dental School and then opened her practice in 2007. Today, she provides a comprehensive array of services to help people of all ages improve their oral conditions. She combines a compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to deliver comfortable, accurate treatments for reliable results. If it\u2019s been a while since your last checkup and cleaning, you can request an appointment on the website<\/a> or call (281) 469-6281.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Did you know that the American Dental Association recommends seeing your provider every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning? Despite this, only an estimated 40% to 45% of adults had a visit in the past year. Proper preventative care, including consistent checkups with your dentist, helps you avoid common concerns to preserve your […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nPreventative Preparation: What to Expect at Your Appointment | Dr. Cher Rich<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If it\u2019s been a while since your last dental checkup and you\u2019re nervous, continue reading to learn 3 things to expect at your appointment!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cherrichdds.com\/blog\/2025\/02\/07\/preventative-preparation-what-to-expect-at-your-appointment\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Preventative Preparation: What to Expect at Your Appointment | Dr. Cher Rich\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If it\u2019s been a while since your last dental checkup and you\u2019re nervous, continue reading to learn 3 things to expect at your appointment!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.cherrichdds.com\/blog\/2025\/02\/07\/preventative-preparation-what-to-expect-at-your-appointment\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Cher Rich D.D.S. 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