Preventive Dental Hygiene
Routine Oral Examinations
Regular oral exams, ideally twice a year, allow your dentist to identify any oral health issues and make a plan to treat them accordingly.
During your exam, your dentist will take a close look at the health of your teeth, gums, jaw and bite. Exams may also include dental X-rays, an oral cancer screening and other diagnostic procedures.
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer can affect any part of the mouth or surrounding tissues. During your exam, your dentist will examine the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer which are difficult to detect with the naked eye.
Oral Health Care at Home
To help keep your teeth and mouth healthy in between dental visits, be sure to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, and floss daily.
Hygiene Cleaning
Before or after your exam, your dental hygienist will perform a deep cleaning of your teeth and gums to prevent and treat disease.
To begin, they will use a scaler to remove any tartar and plaque build-up. Once the tartar has been removed, the hygienist generally continues with polishing to remove visible stains on the surface of the teeth. This will be followed by a thorough flossing of your teeth and gums.
If you neglect regular cleanings at the dentist, you may suffer from chronic bad breath or more serious repercussions such as gum disease.
Fluoride Treatment
If you or your child has a high risk of tooth decay, your dentist may also recommend a fluoride treatment.
Fluoride is a natural mineral that can help to rebuild the minerals in your tooth enamel to prevent and even reverse the tooth decay that you may have experienced.
