{"id":68,"date":"2025-03-02T18:36:29","date_gmt":"2025-03-02T18:36:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drlauragramse.com\/blog\/?p=68"},"modified":"2025-04-24T18:38:47","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T18:38:47","slug":"things-to-expect-during-your-next-dental-checkup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drlauragramse.com\/blog\/2025\/03\/02\/things-to-expect-during-your-next-dental-checkup\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Things to Expect During Your Next Dental Checkup (If It\u2019s Been a While!)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drlauragramse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-300x200.png\" alt=\"a person smiling while visiting their dentist \" class=\"wp-image-69\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drlauragramse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.drlauragramse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-768x513.png 768w, https:\/\/www.drlauragramse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image.png 975w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Life has a tendency of getting pretty busy when we least expect it, and it\u2019s natural for some things to slip through the cracks in our schedules and become totally forgotten. However, this shouldn\u2019t be the case with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drlauragramse.com\/preventive-dentistry.html\">routine dental checkups!<\/a> These visits keep your teeth and gums healthy, bright, and problem-free. That said, if life has gotten in the way and it\u2019s been a while since your last dental checkup, don\u2019t panic; it\u2019s never too late to get things back on track. Here\u2019s more about what you can expect during your return visit to the dentist, and some ways to ensure that once you\u2019re seated in the chair, things go smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. A Judgment-Free Welcome<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dentists and their teams are there to support you during your oral health journey, no matter how it\u2019s going \u2013 they aren\u2019t there to judge you at all! They understand that there are all sorts of things out there that might cause you to miss out on dental checkups \u2013 busy schedules, anxiety, financial concerns, or other circumstances. In any case, they\u2019ll just be glad you\u2019re there and taking the first step toward renewed dental health!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. A Review of Your Medical History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll likely be asked to fill out or update some forms concerning information about yourself and your medical history; fill these out to the best of your ability, since they\u2019re integral in your treatment planning. This is also a good time to let the team know about any concerns you have or if there are any specific accommodations you may need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. A Thorough Dental Examination<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your dental team will always conduct a detailed examination of your teeth, gums, and other oral structures. They typically can allow you to view their findings on a nearby digital monitor, allowing you to remain informed about the state of your smile and why a certain treatment may be needed. In addition to this examination, you\u2019ll also probably need to have a full set of X-rays taken if you don\u2019t have updated ones on file. These images help your dentist see further beyond what the naked eye can detect, allowing for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. A Detailed Cleaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your dentist, or a trained hygienist on their staff, will also likely conduct a detailed cleaning of your teeth. Even if you\u2019re diligent about brushing and flossing at home, these professional cleanings are essential for preventing serious issues like cavities and decay from appearing or worsening. They\u2019ll use specialized tools to remove built-up plaque and tartar that your toothbrush at home cannot reach, and they\u2019ll also polish your teeth to a brilliant shine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you leave, you\u2019ll also be given the chance to schedule your next appointment, whether it\u2019s in the immediate future for follow-up treatment, or six months from now for your next routine checkup. Either way, the team will look forward to your return \u2013 as well as your new commitment to your smile\u2019s future!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Laura Gramse and her talented team have proudly served patients and families in Springfield and Palmer for several years, offering a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatment options. If it\u2019s been at least six months since your last checkup, don\u2019t delay in getting things back on track! If you have any questions about the blog or you\u2019d like to get in touch with the team to set up an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please reach out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drlauragramse.com\/contact.html\">online<\/a> or call today for more information or assistance. <strong>Telephone: (413) 414-5224.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Life has a tendency of getting pretty busy when we least expect it, and it\u2019s natural for some things to slip through the cracks in our schedules and become totally forgotten. However, this shouldn\u2019t be the case with routine dental checkups! These visits keep your teeth and gums healthy, bright, and problem-free. That said, if [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What to Expect During Your Next Checkup | Dr. Laura Gramse<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you haven\u2019t seen your dentist in the last six months for a checkup and cleaning, here\u2019s what you can expect during your next visit.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drlauragramse.com\/blog\/2025\/03\/02\/things-to-expect-during-your-next-dental-checkup\/\" 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