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If you’re unsure of what to expect at your next routine dental exam at Dentistry at 1818 Market Street in Philadelphia, we are going over exactly that in today’s blog post.

Many people feel nervous about going to the dentist, and that could be, in part, because they don’t know what is going to happen when they go for their dental appointment. Regular dentist visits, usually recommended every 6 months, are an integral part of our overall health. A visit to the dentist is nothing to scare you and certainly not something that should be pushed off.

If you are experiencing any kind of pain in your mouth, please contact us right away. If you are in pain, you should not wait until your regular 6-month exam to see one of our dentists. Request an appointment or contact us today.

When you come to Dentistry at 1818 Market Street for your regular dental visit, you will first be greeted by our friendly front desk staff.

Our professional front desk staff will confirm your current contact information and insurance. Once the logistics are out of the way, you will be brought to one of our comfortable exam rooms.

At the beginning of the dental appointment, we will go over your medical history and overall health. If you have any issues or concerns now is the time we’ll ask about that so we can address any potential problems first.

If it’s been 2 or more years since you’ve had oral x-rays done, we will request you get the images taken at this appointment. Dental xrays have very low radiation, but if you have any concerns with the radiation from the dental xrays, we can work with you to find an alternative solution. The up-to-date oral xrays are a tool the dentist uses to help keep track of your oral health. If you have an issue in your mouth, the dentist will use the xrays to diagnose and make a most appropriate treatment plan for you.

While you are at the dental office for your 6-month exam, we take that opportunity to give your teeth a deep cleaning. One of our experienced dental hygienists will perform the teeth cleaning portion of the appointment. They use specialized dental tools to remove any tartar build up from your teeth and gums. After the tartar has been removed, the dental hygienist will then polish your teeth. Then we’ll go over brushing and flossing techniques that will help keep your teeth clean until your next appointment.

After the cleaning portion of the dental appointment is complete, the dentist performs an oral cancer screening.

It is a quick and easy exam of your jaws and the soft tissue in your mouth. The dentist will gently, but effectively, feel with his hands for any abnormalities that are signs of cancer. This simple step has proven to be a very important step in the early detection of oral cancers. Oral cancers can be very treatable if caught early. So this alone should be reason enough for you to see your dentist every 6 months.

If the dentist or dental hygienist finds any abnormalities or problems during your exam, the doctor will discuss them with you, along with a recommended course of action, or treatment plan. We’ll go over specific recommendations for you to maintain your long-term oral health and address any unique concerns you may have.

If you’ve been attending your routine dental appointment every 6-months, or as recommended by your dentist, it is likely that you will be quickly in and out of our Center City dental office. Before leaving, we’ll go over your payment options and schedule your next visit. And, of course, you will leave with a brand new toothbrush as a souvenir.

If you are a new patient, you can save some time by filling out your paperwork before you get to the conveniently located office in Center City, Philadelphia. You can find those forms on our website HERE.

We look forward to seeing you in our Philadelphia dental office soon.

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