A lot of people put off going to the dentist. It's not that you don't understand the importance of good dental hygiene, though. It's more lack of time, anxiety, or other issues that distract from taking proper care of your teeth. Unfortunately, it's often a problem like tooth decay or an abscess that brings many back to the dental office after a long break. When you do come back for a visit, you might want to be ready, so read on and be prepared for what to expect at the dentist's office.

A Longer Cleaning Session

Almost all visits start off by spending time with the dental hygienist. This dental professional may spot quite a bit of plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth if you haven't had a cleaning in more than six months or so. Those damaging substances are usually removed using dental instruments one tooth at a time. Some may use an ultrasonic tool to help with that task but this part of the cleaning usually takes some time.

Some Bleeding Will Occur

It can be distressing to see blood when undergoing dental cleaning, but it's not all that unusual. The hygienist may be using instruments and flossing tools and that can irritate gums that are not used to such actions. The longer it's been since your last cleaning, the more blood you will see. In some cases, bleeding gums are the red flag of gum disease, but your hygienist will be able to tell the difference in normal bleeding and that of periodontal diseases.

Updated X-rays Will Be Needed

If you have X-rays on file, they will be compared to current images. If not, a new record is begun. Dental X-rays are safe, painless, and can happen pretty quickly. The images produced will be scrutinized by the dentist for signs of cavities, spaces, and gum diseases.

Your Dentist Consultation

After the dentist reviews the X-rays they will take a look in your mouth. They will be observing any dental problems so that they can create a plan to address them. Since problems like cavities and gum diseases are what makes many return to the dentist, the most pressing issues will be addressed in future visits.

Next Steps

Those who have put off dental visits may need to have quite a bit of work done along with appointments for future cleanings and consultations. Make sure you make time to take care of fillings or other procedures. Self-care is vital for everyone, so don't put off your dental visits as part of a complete plan for better health.

For more information on what to expect at your next dental visit, reach out to a person like Thomas Krull, DDS, PC.