Although the American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist every 6 months for a standard checkup and cleaning, sources estimate that only about 63% to 65% of U.S. adults have seen their provider in the past year.

You might think it’s okay to skip routine appointments if you haven’t noticed obvious issues, but you might develop hidden problems that are impossible to detect by yourself at home. If it’s been a while since your last visit, read on to learn about 4 steps you can expect your dentist to take once you arrive!