More than half of older Americans skip dental checkups

At each check-up, your dentist should: examine your teeth, gums and mouth. ask about your general health and any problems you’ve had with your teeth, mouth or gums since your last visit. ask about, and give you advice on, your diet, smoking and alcohol use, and teeth-cleaning habits.Dental hygienists typically do the following: Remove tartar, stains, and plaque from teeth. Apply sealants and fluorides to help protect teeth. Take and develop dental x rays.A dental check-up is when a dental practitioner checks inside your mouth and gives your teeth a thorough clean. All children and adults should have regular dental check-ups, even if their teeth are in good shape, and they feel healthy.In some cases, symptoms of gingivitis, tooth decay and other conditions can be mild enough to go unnoticed. Regular preventive dental checkups help make sure issues are caught and treated as early as possible.A dental exam is part of a checkup of your teeth and gums. When you see your dentist for a checkup, the visit usually includes three parts: A dental cleaning to remove the buildup of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that coats your teeth. X-rays of your teeth on certain visits, depending on the health of your teeth.