What to Expect During Dental Exams and Cleanings?
Dental exams and cleanings in Scarborough, Ontario are often performed under a single routine dental visit. These are however two different services with a single goal of protecting your oral health. Incorporating routine dental exams and cleanings in your oral care not only ensures your teeth and gums are healthy, but also protects your overall wellness. According to the Canadian Dental Association, you should get these services from your dentist in Scarborough, ON every six months, or as advised based on your oral care needs.
For patients to value and appreciate the significance of dental exams and cleanings, it is important that they understand what exactly happens during both procedures. At Finch East Dental Care, we take into account a number of key factors about our patients to ensure a pleasant and comfortable experience. Getting to learn of things like your medical history and any changes in your dental and overall health ensures that our professionals make the process thorough and effective to your needs. Here are some of the things to expect during the procedures.
During a Dental Exam:
The steps observed during your dental exam will depend on the state of your oral health. Generally, it begins with a talk with your dentist to allow you raise any concerns or worries you may have. The next step then is to have the dentist perform a physical exam to check for signs of disease or abnormalities. This includes checking your teeth and gums for indicators of decay or gum disease as well as observing the tongue, cheeks and other soft tissues for any problems.
To get an idea of what is happening beneath your teeth and gums, dental x-rays will be taken. This helps the dentist identify any issues that the naked eye cannot spot. The x-rays images can help point to issues with your jawbone, extent of decay or even an abscess. During the process, your bite may also be evaluated to rule out any existing or potential problems.
If you have any restorations, a dental exam is also the opportunity for the dentist to make sure everything is in good shape. This includes things like fillings, veneers and crowns which will be observed to see if they are working well or there is need for repairs or replacements.
In some cases, oral cancer screening may also be done, especially if you seem to be at high risk of the condition. During the screening, the dentist checks your gums, tongue, lips, throat, neck, face and other tissues for any abnormal growth. If need be, a biopsy is then run to rule out oral cancer.
During a Dental Cleaning:
Professional deep cleaning of teeth complements at-home hygiene practices. It helps with plaque and heavy tartar removal that brushing and flossing alone cannot get rid of. Plaque is the bacteria responsible for gum disease and when left to harden causes deep tooth staining and discoloration. During professional cleanings, our dentists use special tools to help with teeth scaling and teeth plaque removal. Afterwards, your teeth will be professionally flossed and brushed to remove any debris from the plaque and tartar.
The toothpaste used during professional cleanings is in many ways similar to your regular toothpaste, only that it has a gritty texture. This is used alongside a high-powered electric toothbrush that effectively scrubs your teeth to remove any tartar that the scaler left behind. Since this process is considered a bit harsh to the enamel, it should only be done twice year. After the brushing and flossing your mouth s then rinsed to clear out all debris and if there is need, a fluoride treatment will also be done. This is usually to help strengthen your enamel and prevent tooth decay.
Take note that these are just some of the basic steps you can expect when going for your routine dental exams and cleanings. Sometimes your dentist in Scarborough, ON may choose to add or skip some steps based on your needs at the particular moment. You can also request or discuss need for additional treatments such as application of dental sealants or whitening treatments for teeth stain removal.
Visit us today at Finch East Dental Care for a tailored dental experience that meets your specific needs.