Family dentists offer general dentistry services for all the members of your family. A family dentist might recommend coming every six months for a routine checkup, but do you know why they want you to come this often? If not, you might benefit from learning the four main objectives that family dentists have at routine dental checkups.

1. To Clean Your Teeth

The first objective of a routine dental visit is to clean your teeth. Cleaning your teeth is something you do each day when you brush and floss, but this type of cleaning is deeper. A dentist or hygienist scrapes your teeth clean with special dental tools. They also polish your teeth and floss them. When finished, they provide a fluoride treatment to you, which also strengthens your teeth.

2. To Look for Cavities

The next objective is to look for cavities. Big cavities are not hard to find, but smaller ones are. Your family dentist does several things to find cavities on your teeth. One way is by pushing a pointy dental tool into each tooth. If the tooth is sticky, it can indicate that a cavity is beginning to form. Dental X-rays help them find cavities and examine your teeth. Finding decay on your teeth is vital, as it needs to be removed and treated.

3. To Check for Signs of Gum Disease

The third objective of a routine dental visit is to check for signs of gum disease. Gum disease affects people of all ages, but it is more prevalent in adults. Your dentist looks for signs of gum disease, and these include swollen and bleeding gums and receding gum lines. If your gums begin receding or have signs of gum disease, your dentist can suggest treatment options for you.

4. To Answer Your Questions and Address Your Concerns

The other objective of a routine dental visit is to answer your questions and address your concerns. For example, do you have a tooth that bothers you? Is the tooth sensitive to hot and cold, or does the tooth throb with pain? If you have questions about your teeth or mouth, a dental visit offers the chance to talk to your dentist about the issues in person. Your dentist can diagnose the problem and offer tips or suggestions.

Your family dentist can complete routine checkups for you, your kids, and other family members. If you have questions, talk to a local dentist today.

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