WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR DENTAL EXAMS AND CLEANINGS
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Routine care and regular visits to the dentist are vital in maintaining oral and overall health.
If you eat a healthy diet, limit the amount of sugar you consume through foods and drinks, brush and floss everyday, you are giving yourself the advantages you need for healthy teeth and gums! But even though your strategy will remove most of the plaque that forms in your mouth, it is a sneaky substance, hiding outside of the reach of your toothbrush and your floss. The plaque then hardens into tartar, making it impossible to eliminate except with a professional teeth cleaning. Meanwhile, plaque and tartar are working to erode your tooth enamel, and can cause a variety of issues for your gums too. A professional teeth cleaning by your hygienist will eliminate any plaque and tartar that are still between teeth or even gum line, giving you a fresh start on your oral well being.
A dental exam includes:
Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
Gum disease evaluation: Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
Examination of tooth decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments.
Examination of existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, etc.
Professional Dental Cleaning includes:
Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
Teeth polishing: Remove stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.