Dental Checkups Albuquerque
Why Routine Oral Checkups Matter
Without a solid foundation, your magnificent smile won't last long. Regular exams and good home care form the basis for optimal dental health. As a general dentist, Dr. Boehmer promotes preventive dentistry, including dental checkups in Albuquerque, to save our patients time, money, and headaches later.
Why Choose Dr. Monica Boehmer for Dental Checkups?
- Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry
- Advanced Digital X-Rays & Cavity Detection
- 1,500 Hours of Continuing Education
Oral Hygiene Tips from Your Dentist in Albuquerque
The care you give your teeth and gums in between your visits to our Albuquerque dental office is just as important as your biannual dental checkups. With this in mind, Dr. Boehmer wants to make sure that you’re brushing and flossing your teeth as thoroughly as possible. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your at-home oral hygiene routine:
- Always use a toothbrush with soft bristles; harder bristles may feel as if they’re cleaning better, but they could actually be scratching the enamel on your teeth.
- Choose toothpaste with fluoride, a mineral that strengthens enamel and helps reduce your risk of tooth decay and cavities.
- Hold your brush at a 45% angle against your teeth, which allows you to also brush along the gumline where plaque is more likely to accumulate.
- Be sure to brush the inside, outside, and biting surface of each tooth.
- When you floss, use approximately 18 inches so that you have a fresh segment of floss between each pair of teeth.
- Move the floss up and down and back and forth, taking care to gently reach below the gumline along each tooth.
Dental Checkups in Albuquerque
During your six-month hygiene maintenance appointment, our team will complete a comprehensive exam of your mouth that includes an oral cancer screening. Oral and pharyngeal cancers claim more than 9,000 American lives each year. During a screening, we check for sores in your mouth or on your lips that aren’t healing, lumps, thickened tissue, red and white discoloration, and raised areas along your jaw, on your neck, or around your ears.
We’ll also conduct a bite assessment and periodontal analysis. A misaligned bite may not only impact the appearance of your smile but also your comfort. Symptoms of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder can result from bite misalignment. Dr. Boehmer may recommend wearing a custom oral appliance if she discovers a problem with your bite.
The health and beauty of your smile are directly connected to the condition of your gums. At each checkup, our dental hygienist will examine your gums and probe the depths of the gum pockets that surround your teeth. Pockets that are deeper than four millimeters may be indicative of gum disease. Other signs include:
- Red, swollen, and bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- The presence of plaque and tartar
- Shifting or loose teeth
Left untreated, gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis can lead to needing teeth extracted. To avoid this, Dr. Boehmer and her staff offer dedicated periodontal therapy to restore your healthy smile.
Checkups are also the time for a tooth-by-tooth inspection. DIAGNOdent is our cavity detection laser, which enables Dr. Boehmer to find weak areas before the decay actually occurs. With DIAGNOdent, we can stop decay and prevent larger dental issues.
Our Albuquerque, NM, dental practice offers a wide variety of preventive care services and products, including routine oral cancer and blood pressure screenings. Other options include:
- Breath Treatment with CloSYS II® and Breath Rx™
- Hard and Soft Tissue Exams
- Patient Education
- Periodontal Maintenance
- Nightguards or Mouthguards
If you are ready to experience dentistry tailored to your needs, call our Albuquerque dental office and schedule an appointment with Dr. Boehmer. Our relaxing, Northeast Heights Albuquerque office is easy to access. Stop in and see how our personalized dental services can transform your smile.
Dental Checkups FAQs
What should I expect if I haven’t been to the dentist in years?
If you haven’t been to the dentist in several years, you may be apprehensive or nervous about what to expect. Scheduling your initial appointment is the best thing you can do for your oral health, so whatever has kept you away, congratulate yourself for taking a positive step in the right direction.
When arriving for your appointment, you can expect your dental exam to take a bit longer than usual. The reason is that your dentist may need to establish a baseline for your smile (if you are seeing someone new). Dental X-rays and a comprehensive oral examination will be included. Our team will perform a bite assessment to determine your teeth's position and a periodontal analysis to evaluate the health of your gums. A dental hygienist will probe your gum pockets to determine whether gum disease is present.
You will meet with your dentist to discuss what brought you in. Dr. Boehmer will ask about any concerns or pain you might have so she can address them before they worsen.
What does my dentist screen for at routine checkups?
During your dental checkups in Albuquerque, Dr. Boehmer will analyze your X-rays to check for signs of decay between your teeth, infection, or dental damage. Oftentimes, these issues exist beneath the gumline, hence why she relies on advanced imaging for more accurate diagnoses. We’ll also complete an oral cancer screening, examine any restorations you have, and evaluate your gums.
The goal of a dental checkup is to identify the earliest signs of common oral health problems before they spread. This minimizes the risk for more extensive restorative care in the future.
How often do I need to get dental X-rays?
Each patient is different, but dental X-rays are commonly taken during your routine dental checkups every six months. Only taking a few minutes, these images give Dr. Boehmer an up-close look at what is happening beneath the gumline.
There are different types of X-rays, including:
- Bitewings: Taken each year to detect any cavities
- Periapical: Designed for pre-treatment planning and identifying issues related to the roots of your teeth (often needs-based)
- Panoramic: Taken every three to five years to identify developmental issues (i.e., orthodontic concerns, wisdom teeth eruption, etc.)
Dr. Boehmer will recommend the appropriate type of X-rays for you based on the last time you received them, whether you require certain treatments, and if you express problems, such as tooth pain or jaw discomfort. Your age, oral health, overall health, and genetics can also play a role in what type of X-rays you will need during your appointment.
How long does a dental exam take?
Every dentist sets a timeframe for their dental checkups, but no matter how long your visit takes, remember what is required to ensure your oral health is in the best possible condition: an oral cancer screening, X-rays, a visual examination of your teeth, gums, tongue, and evaluation of any findings. We will also look for any signs of decay, check your bite to ensure there is no misalignment, and address any concerns you might have on the day of your visit.
If you have any existing dental restorations, you can expect us to examine these areas for damage as well. If necessary, we may recommend a new crown, bridge, denture, etc.
I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I Need a Dentist for My Child I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I Want to Enhance My Smile I Want to Straighten My Teeth I have a Dental Emergency I am Worried About Gum Disease I Have Jaw Pain & Headaches I am Scared of the Dentist View Our Services