Question 1

Are dental checkups important if my teeth feel fine?

Accepted Answer

Most serious dental problems develop without pain or visible symptoms. A routine dental checkup allows your provider to detect and address these issues before they require complex or costly treatment. Feeling fine is not the same as being fine.

Question 2

How often should you go to the dentist if you've had gum disease?

Accepted Answer

Patients with a history of periodontal disease need a professional cleaning and oral exam every three to four months rather than every six. This more frequent schedule helps prevent disease from reactivating and allows your provider to monitor tissue and bone health closely.

Question 3

What's the difference between a dental cleaning, scaling, and root planing?

Accepted Answer

A routine dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar from above the gumline and just below it in healthy gum pockets. Scaling and root planing is a deeper, therapeutic procedure that cleans below the gumline into deeper pockets and smooths the root surfaces to help the gum tissue reattach. It&#8217;s typically completed over multiple visits.

Question 4

What should I look for when figuring out how to find a dentist or periodontist near Philadelphia?

Accepted Answer

Look for board certification, specialty training, and a track record in the specific services you need. For patients with gum disease, implant history, or bone loss, seeing a periodontist ensures you&#8217;re getting a specialist-level evaluation.

What Happens During a Routine Dental Checkup, and Why These Appointments Matter

The 2026 Oral Health Guide for Patients of All Ages