Fretting about what a dentist does can give you anxiety about going to the dentist. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 40 percent of adults and 20 percent of children don't see a dentist regularly.
However, if you don't go regularly, you might wonder, "What does a dentist do during these visits, exactly?" To maintain a healthy mouth, brushing and flossing aren't always enough. You also need to see a dentist for preventive checkups. This is what you can expect: