Make Dental Exams and Cleanings A Regular Part of Your Routine

Even if you brush and floss regularly, you should still get your teeth cleaned by a professional every six months. Dental practices have the skills and tools necessary to clean your teeth thoroughly, and reach those places you might miss during your regular brushings at home.

A professional cleaning removes plaque from small crevices and spaces that you might not be able to get with an ordinary toothbrush and floss, giving your teeth the most thorough clean possible.

Most appointments begin with scaling. Scaling is when the dental hygienist uses a small metal tool to scrape tartar and plaque from your teeth and below the gumline.

Next, your dental hygienist will probably give your teeth a good brushing and flossing. Dental hygienists use a special gritty toothpaste, and their professional flossing skills, to give your teeth a thorough cleaning and get any hard to reach places you might normally miss.

After a quick rinse your dental hygienist may apply a fluoride treatment to your teeth and gums. Fluoride is important because it acts as a sealant, protecting your teeth from decay and cavities.

Gum disease can cause significant problems for your oral health. We proudly use the Perio Protect® system to help treat and prevent gum disease. Perio Protect uses self-sealing plastic mouthguards to apply medicine directly to your teeth and gums. These mouthguards (Perio Trays) help reach all the spaces between your teeth and gums where bacteria can hide and cause damage.

Used in combination with a strong dental hygiene routine and regular dental cleanings, the Perio Protect® system allows you to help fight gum disease at home on a daily basis. Learn more about the Perio Protect® System.

The purpose of a dental exam is to check on your mouth, teeth and gums and make sure they are healthy. During your exam your dentist will inspect each tooth and check for signs of decay, damage or disease. He or she will also test your bite to ensure that your jaws and teeth are properly aligned.

Your dentist will also look beyond your mouth and check in regarding your full body health. This might include an oral cancer scan, a blood pressure check and a full review of your medical history with you.

Your dentist might also take some x-rays, depending on the last time you had them done. X-rays are an important tool that give your dentist insight into the health and structure of your jaws and teeth below the gumline.

Even if your teeth and gums are healthy it is important to visit your dentist regularly. Dentists are trained to detect oral health issues before you are likely to notice them. If you dentist sees something is amiss he or she can begin preventative treatment right away. It is always easier to prevent problems before they arise than try and fix the problem after the fact.

Dental exams empower you, and allow you to take a proactive approach to your oral health.