ROUTINE CHECKUP
​WHY DO PATIENTS NEED
A ROUTINE CHECKUP?
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Having a routine checkup at least once or twice a year is a good habit to help patients have a good looking smile and be able to keep track of their oral problems such as cavities and gum diseases.
A routine checkup includes teeth cleaning, x-rays, and dental exam. The teeth cleaning process aims to remove plaque, tartar, and stains that have accumulated on the patient's teeth despite his/her regular brushing and flossing at home. X-rays are taken so that the dentist can have a clear picture of the patient's dental health. The routine exam identifies what treatments the patient may need to prevent tooth loss, pain, and/or future oral problems.
​THE PROCESS
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Teeth Cleaning
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A dental hygienist/ dental assistant will clean the patients' teeth using a set of dental tools. A scaler is used to remove any plaque and tartar accumulated on the teeth. Plaque contains bacteria that causes cavities and gum diseases. Being left on the teeth for a long period of time, plaque hardens to form tartar which can only be removed during the professional cleaning at a dental office.
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The dental hygienist/ dental assistant will brush the patients' teeth by electronic toothbrushes and specialized granular toothpastes. The brushing helps to polish the teeth and further remove any remaining bacteria on the teeth and the surrounding gums.
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The dental hygienist/ dental assistant will floss the patients' teeth to remove any dirty materials collected between the teeth.
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The dental hygienist/ dental assistant will apply a fluoride treatment on the patients' teeth to help strengthen the them.
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The dentist will instruct patients how to properly brush and floss at home to prevent future oral problems such as cavities and gum diseases.
X-rays
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Dental X-rays will be taken in a separate X-ray room where the dental assistant will guide the patient carefully through each steps of the
X-ray process. -
While dental X-rays do involve radiation, the exposed levels are so low that they’re considered safe for both kids and adults. At Kids R Us Dental & Adult Dentistry, professional digital X-rays will be performed to even lower the radiation exposure.
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The dental assistant will place a lead "bib" over the patient's chest, abdomen, and pelvic region to prevent any unnecessary radiation exposure to the patient's vital organs.
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The X-ray machine will be positioned alongside the patient's head to record/capture images of his/her mouth.
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Sometimes, spacers are being used to adjust the position of the patient's mouth to better obtain accurate images.
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SPECIAL NOTES
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​Patient MUST hold still while the images are being recorded.
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For kids, we kindly suggest parents to stay away from their kids' sight during the X-ray process although parents can still watch the whole process on the side. Quite often, kids do cooperate better with our professionals without their parents' presence. This helps fasten the
X-ray process as well ! -
PREGNANCY: Women who are pregnant or believe they may be pregnant should avoid all types of X-rays because radiation is not considered safe for the developing fetuses. For these patients, we required patients to provide approval notes from their physicians prior to scheduling a routine checkup appointment.
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​Dental Exam
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During the dental exam, the dentist will:
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Evaluate the patient's overall health and oral hygiene
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Evaluate the patient's risk of tooth decay, root decay, and gum or bone disease
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Evaluate the patient's need for tooth restoration and/or replacement
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Check the patient's bite and jaw for problems to suggest whether he/she needs an orthodontic (braces) consult
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​The dentist will recommend the patient when to return for a follow-up visit, needed treatment(s), and/or recall.
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Most of the time, the treatments will be conducted from the work of Kids R Us & Adult Dentistry's dentists.
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In some rare cases, highly complexed treatments may be referred out to other dental specialists.
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​At the end, the dentist will instruct the patient how to properly brush and floss at home. Dental exams may also include counseling about diet and other lifestyle factors that can affect the patient's oral health.
