Has it been a while since you had your teeth checked out by a dentist? Are you worried about what is going to happen when you finally go in for your first exam in years? Although it's a good idea to have a dental exam and cleaning every 6 to 12 months, it's not uncommon for people to go years without seeing their dentist. Whether this is because you've simply been too busy to take the time, you haven't had the insurance to cover dental care, or some other reason, a good dentist is going to be understanding. Some things that you can expect during your visit include:

Lots of questions: When a dentist asks you how often you brush or floss your teeth, he or she isn't trying to judge you. He or she is simply trying to get a good idea as to what to expect when he or she looks at your dental X-rays. Even though you may feel slightly self-conscious if you admit that you may only brush once a day on some days, knowing your dental hygiene habits is essential for allowing your dentist to decide how best to handle whatever might be going on with your mouth.

Full set of X-rays: Most of your visit is likely going to be taken up by your new dentist taking a full set of X-rays to see whether there is anything to be concerned about in your mouth. Not only will he or she be looking for cavities, he or she will also be looking for things like signs of infected teeth and should even check your mouth for possible signs of oral cancer. Just because you haven't noticed anything amiss, this doesn't mean that your teeth are in perfect condition.

At least one filling: Unless you actually have been brushing and flossing three times a day, chances are good that you've developed at least one cavity since you last visited the dentist. You may not even realize that you have a cavity as it may not have eaten all the way through your tooth enamel yet. If this is the case, the new filling may not even require anesthetic, and your dentist may even suggest having it done immediately. If you've had bad experiences with fillings in the past, don't be afraid to mention this to your new dentist. If anesthetic is required, you may simply require a different type of anesthetic or for the anesthetic to be injected into different areas of your mouth.

Contact a dental office like Advara Dental & Dentures for more information and assistance.