If you’re dealing with discomfort, you might feel the pain on two levels. You not only feel the sting of an oral health problem, but also of needing to go to the dentist’s office. Of course, the dentist is rarely as bad as you’d imagine them to be, but it’s also understandable to not want to make the trip unnecessarily.

If you’re dealing with swollen gums, you may wonder if it’s worth talking to your dentist about it. If you don’t whether what you’re dealing with warrants professional attention, here’s a guide that might give you some helpful information.  

Dentists recommend that you visit for a checkup or cleaning twice a year. This allows them to detect any oral health problems before they become serious, and to clean in areas that you can’t reach with brushing alone.

If you’re going to your first dental checkup in a while, you might not know what to do or where to start. Here are some things to keep in mind at your next dental checkup.