Dental Cleaning
We recommend a checkup every six months so we can identify and prevent a variety of oral health problems.
Each visit will be different based on your situation, but generally, checkups include several steps. We start by reviewing your concerns, dental chart, and medical history so we can determine the mot appropriate care for you.
The check-up also includes cleaning your teeth. This enables us to clearly see the condition of your teeth and gums and to remove the plaque, tartar and bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. If needed, we polish your teeth to smooth their surface and remove light stains.
A regular check-up includes a careful visual exam of your mouth. We check for decay on the biting surfaces of teeth, signs of wear, cracks, or other problems with restorations such as fillings and crowns, as well as any abnormal loss of tooth structure.
In addition, we check the color and contours of your gums. Red, swollen gums are often signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease. We use a periodontal probe to check the depth of the spaces between your teeth and gums. Readings deeper than 3 millimeters often indicate periodontal disease.
We also diagnose any sores or lesions on the soft tissues of your mouth, screening them for signs of oral cancer.
Other conditions cannot be easily seen, so we often take x-rays. X-rays show us decay between and inside the teeth and tartar on the teeth and tooth roots. X-Rays also show us signs of periodontal disease, such as the loss of bone around the teeth. In addition, x-rays allow us to see cysts, abscesses, and other problems.
We may also examine your jaw joint to help diagnose problems with your bite or TMJ. Sometimes check–ups include additional treatments based on your individual situation.
We review your homecare routine and give you advice on a good diet for maintaining optimal oral health and a beautiful smile.
Regular check-ups are important because neglecting dental conditions can lead to much more serious problems, such as:
With regular exams, we can detect problems early and help you maintain your oral and overall health.
We recommend that you get a routine dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of food and bacteria that forms constantly on your teeth.
A routine dental cleaning is often called a prophylaxis or "prophy."
Even when you brush and floss properly every day, some plaque remains on your teeth and hardens to become tartar. Tartar can be removed effectively only with a professional cleaning.
It is important to remove plaque and tartar because they are the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease.
To clean your teeth, we use a variety of instruments to carefully remove all the plaque and tartar above and below the gumline. These instruments may include hand scalers, an ultrasonic scaler, and dental floss, superfloss, or other flossing aids.
We may also use a polishing instrument to remove stains from your teeth.
We will carefully review your homecare routine as well.
With regular dental cleaning, we can help you maintain a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile.
