The American Dental Association recommends that patients get their teeth professionally cleaned and examined every six months. If you can't remember the last time that you saw the dentist, you may not remember what you can expect. The good news is that your dental exam will be fairly basic (as long as there aren't too many issues). From your X-rays to the cleaning, this article will discuss the three basic things that you can expect. Read on to learn more. 

X-Rays

Your dentist won't usually order X-rays every time you go to the dentist, but they may every year or two. When you first go in for your cleaning, they will take close X-ray images of your mouth to see if there are any problems with your teeth, gums, or jawbone. Then, if there are any issues that show up on the X-ray, they will discuss it with you during your cleaning. 

Examination

The next step of your visit is the examination. During your exam, your dentist will look at your teeth for things like cavities, look at your gums for gum disease, and look at your throat and neck for any problems. If they notice that there are any bumps or lumps on your throat, on your neck, or in your mouth, they will do further examinations to look closer. It's also during this time that they may make recommendations for treatment. For instance, if you have a cavity, they may recommend getting a filling. Or if you have gum disease, they may recommend a thorough cleaning along the gum line.

The Cleaning

After all of the X-rays and the exam are over with, it's now time for the cleaning. During your cleaning, your dentist will start out by scraping in between your teeth and along your gum line to get rid of plaque and tartar. Once everything has been scraped off, they will then polish your teeth with a mechanical device and some fluoride. The combination of these things will help get rid of any extra plaque and will also shine your teeth. 

Your dental exam is pretty basic an isn't anything for you to be worried about. If you do start to experience a little bit of dental anxiety or fears, contact your dental office beforehand and ask them about sedation dentistry. If you are ready to get your next dental cleaning schedule, contact your dentist today and see if they can get you in! To learn more, visit websites like http://www.accentdentalnwi.com/.