At Moses Lake Family Dentistry, we believe that prevention is the best treatment. We also know that keeping your teeth and gums in good condition is crucial when it comes to having excellent overall health. That’s why we recommend attending a dental checkup and cleaning on a regular basis. With these preventive visits, Dr. Craig Harder, your family dentist in Moses Lake, can thoroughly examine and clean your mouth, ensuring your smile stays healthy for years to come.
Your appointment usually begins with a member of our team taking digital x-rays of your mouth. These highly detailed images allow us to glimpse what’s going on beneath the surface and spot problems that might not be visible to even our trained eyes.
Once Dr. Harder has looked at your x-rays, he’ll ask you if you’ve had any issues lately, such as tooth sensitivity. He’ll take a closer look at your mouth to determine if any problems, such as gum disease or cavities, are present. If they are, he can discuss a personalized treatment plan to get your smile back on the right track.
Next comes the dental cleaning in Moses Lake. This is when one of our dental hygienists uses special instruments to get rid of plaque and tartar on your teeth. Both of these substances contain bacteria that can contribute to infections. Since not even daily brushing and flossing can remove 100 percent of the plaque and tartar that builds up in your mouth, regular cleanings are essential.
The American Dental Association recommends that most people visit their dentist twice a year, or once every six months. However, some patients may need to attend more frequent checkups, such as those who:
During your checkup, Dr. Harder can go over your medical history and habits to determine just how often you need to see us.
If you go too long without a checkup and cleaning, you might not realize you have an oral health problem until serious damage has already been done. Many dental issues, like tooth decay and gum disease, don’t display noticeable symptoms until they have reached their advanced stages. By that point, you’ll typically require expensive and invasive treatment to restore your oral health. With biannual checkups, Dr. Harder can spot warning signs of these problems before they get to that point. Similarly, regular teeth cleanings remove the plaque and tartar that cause these issues in the first place.
When was the last time that you had a dental checkup and cleaning? If it has been more than six months, you’re missing out on so many oral health benefits. Contact your dentist in Moses Lake today!