Visiting your dentist twice a year for a dental check-up is a vital part of keeping your oral health at its best. Not only does it help keep your teeth clean, but it also helps you stay tuned into your overall health too!
Whether it has been a while since your last dental visit, or you or a loved one may be uneasy about scheduling your next appointment. For many of our patients, just knowing what to expect can help alleviate much of the stress and anxiety associated with visiting your dentist.
So we want to explain what happens during your bi-annual teeth cleaning and how you can best prepare for your next visit! Your appointment should be something you look forward to, not something to dread. We will do everything we can to make it effortless on your part and easy once you are here.
Gather Necessary Medical Information Before Your Dental Check Up
When scheduling your appointment, discussing your family medical history is probably not the first thing you think about, but this will allow us to provide much better care for your oral and general health.
There are many conditions, such as certain types of cancer and heart disease, where periodontal disease shows strong genetic ties that can run in your family. Understanding your family’s medical history can help Dr. McOmie and our staff keeps an eye out for oral health issues such as gum disease or other conditions which present symptoms in the mouth for diseases like diabetes.
Check Your Dental Insurance Coverage
Make sure to review your dental insurance benefits before your appointment. Identifying your level of coverage will help you understand what costs can be connected with your care and help avoid surprises. If you have any questions or concerns about using your dental insurance coverage at our office or if you need more information about paying for care without insurance, give us a call! Alli and Morgan at the front desk will be happy to assist with anything you need. We can even contact your insurance on your behalf and get the information you need.
Make sure you know where we are as well. We are located at 5999 Shallowford Rd. this is a very easy location to find. It is THE corner of Hwy 153 and Shallowford Road. You can find us on google maps here:
First We Listen To You About Your Teeth
The first thing we do is ask how are your teeth? Then we listen to you; we want to hear what you have to say. Do you have a tooth that is bothering you or sensitive teeth, do you pack food in a particular location that is bugging you? We want to know these things; it is our job to listen to your concerns and interest. Maybe you want to talk about Clear Correct, which is like Invisalign, teeth whitening, veneers, bonding.
If you have had a bad dental experience in the past, we would love to know what happened to make it bad; we want to ensure your visit is great at McOmie Family Dentistry. Make sure you tell us anything you would like, such as the air polisher or not the air polisher we can customize your visit to fit you. When you are here, you are the VIP.
What Happens Next At My Dentist Visit
Each visit varies from patient to patient based on their individual needs, a dental check-up usually consists of a professional cleaning, a comprehensive dental examination by one of our two dentists, oral cancer screening with Velscope, and potentially X-rays.
Dental X-Rays
How frequently you need dental X-rays relies largely on your medical and dental history, your age, and your current oral health. New-patient examinations often include X-rays as well.
If required, dental X-rays are generally taken at the beginning of your dental appointment. Dental X-rays allow us to detect and diagnose tooth decay between teeth, on hard-to-reach surfaces, and under existing dental work. X-rays can even be helpful in identifying dental and orthodontic issues that exist beneath the gum line. They can find tumors in the bones and bony defects. Dental X-rays are very beneficial. However, we do not take “routine” X-rays we only take X-rays when they are needed.
Dental Cleaning
Once it’s time for your cleaning, our hygienists (Scarlet, Kristin, and Ashley) use a scaler which is a small metal instrument to scrape the tartar off above and below the gum line and in between teeth. Next, they use a polishing tool to polish your teeth with a gently abrasive paste to deep clean your pearly whites and eliminate any tartar left behind after the previous step. Last but not least, they’ll finish your cleaning with a thorough flossing.
Our hygienists have the best equipment available to them. Each one of them has an air polisher that shoots a baking powder slurry that removes stains efficiently and easily while being safe to the tooth. So don’t worry about that coffee stain they can get it off with minimal effort. They also have intraoral cameras so they can show you any problems you might have and explain what is wrong and why, if there is a problem. They have piezo scalers this is a piece of equipment that can take tartar off a tooth with ease and comfort for the patient. Our advanced technology translates to an easy and wonderful visit for you.
Our hygienists have advanced training and can really make you feel at home. They are gentle and skilled at what they do. The difference between a good cleaning and a terribly painful experience can be the skill of the hygienist. We have the best hygienists in town you will see what makes them special.
Comprehensive Dental Exam
After we clean your teeth, Either Dr. Mark McOmie will conduct a comprehensive oral examination to ensure your oral health is in great shape. They will:
- Examine your teeth for signs of decay.
- Check for gum swelling and redness, and measure the depth of your gingival pockets to check for signs of periodontal disease.
- Test how your top and bottom teeth come together and check for signs of teeth grinding or other potential orthodontic issues.
- Examine your neck, lymph glands, and using the velscope check the oral cavity for signs of oral cancer.
- Let you know of any preventative treatment such as sealants that will prevent future dental work.
After your exam, we’ll discuss any necessary treatment recommendations and offer helpful tips on how to best improve your oral hygiene before your next appointment if needed. As needed, we can recommend toothbrushes and over-the-counter products to help you achieve optimal dental health.
Watch the video below for more information on the importance of regular dental exams!
Your Visit Will Be Stress-Free And Believe It Or Not Enjoyable!
Our goal is to make you want to come back to the dentist. Frequent visits make your oral health better. Our overall goal is to have our patient’s mouths in top shape; this won’t happen if our patients are stressed out when they are here. We won’t tolerate pain, if you are hurting in any way, we will make sure to get you comfortable before we do anything more. Not only things in your mouth but also if you need a pillow or a blanket to make your visit, we will get you one immediately. You need to feel comfortable and happy when you are here. We will do anything we need to to make sure this happens. We are the best dentists in Chattanooga for a reason.
What Should You Do After Your Visit?
Whether your next appointment is in 3 weeks or six months, we’re looking forward to seeing your smile! Be sure to maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine and follow any additional instructions provided by your dentist or hygienist before your next visit. If you have any questions about what to expect from a visit to our office, let us know!
