The Reasons Why a Dental Exam and Cleaning Should Never Be Ignored

It is common and popular for many people to ignore a dental exam and cleaning believing their dental health will not be affected by this habit. Unfortunately, it is this very habit that is leading to tooth decay, cavities and other oral health conditions that could easily have been prevented.

A regular dental exam is important because it can help to keep your teeth and gums healthy. You must visit a dentist every six months for dental exams and cleaning or even earlier if recommended by the dentist.

What Can Be Expected During the Dental Exam?

When you visit your dentist for a routine checkup he or she will first conduct an exam before heading to the cleaning procedure.

During the exam, the dental professional will be checking for cavities and may also take x-rays to detect cavities between the teeth. The professional will also check for the plaque which is a sticky film of bacteria. If plaque is left on the teeth it can harden into tartar which cannot be removed with brushing and flossing. Oral diseases can be caused when plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth.

An exam of your gums will also be performed. The exam will be performed with a special tool to measure the depth of the pockets between your teeth and gums. If you have healthy gums the pockets will be shallow in contrast to people with gum disease that have deeper pockets.

The checkup will also include an examination of your tongue, face, throat, head, and neck to detect any signs of trouble such as swelling, redness, and indications of cancer.

The dentist in Hemet, CA, will begin the cleaning after the dental exams are performed in the following steps:

Removing Plaque and Tartar

A dental hygienist will use a small mirror to guide them along with a scaler to get rid of plaque and tartar around the gum line as well as in between the teeth. Scraping sounds will be heard which is quite normal. If the buildup of tartar in your mouth is excessive you can hear the scraping for a longer time. This may turn out to be the least favorite part of the cleaning but it is a lesson to remember to brush and floss more often.

Gritty Cleaning with Toothpaste

After your teeth have been freed from the tartar the hygienist will brush them with a high powered electric toothbrush which also makes a grinding noise. This is a great way to get a deep cleaning to remove any tartar left behind by the scaler.

Flossing Lessons

You could be brushing and flossing regularly at home but the hygienist will nevertheless provide you flossing lessons to show you how you can get deep between your teeth to look at any potential trouble spots where you might be bleeding.

After providing the flossing lessons the hygienist will give you a rinse containing fluoride to rinse out your mouth.

The final step of the cleaning process is fluoride treatment which is helpful to protect your teeth in their fight against cavities for several months.

Steps to Adopt between Every Dental Visit

You must take care of your teeth and gums properly between regularly scheduled dental visits. Plaque is consistently developing on your teeth but it can be managed by brushing and flossing regularly. Given below are some tips to follow for proper oral hygiene at home:

• Brush your teeth two times a day for two minutes each by using toothpaste containing fluoride.
• Floss every day regardless of whether you do it in the morning, evening, before or after meals.
• Plaque bacteria can be controlled by a mouthwash. It will also help to freshen your breath.

When you undergo a dental exam and cleaning with the dentist in Hemet you can rest assured the steps mentioned above will be followed to leave your mouth free from any harmful bacteria. The exams must be considered as a method to keep your teeth and gums healthy and the cleaning will ensure the buildup of any plaque and tartar is removed. Glenn C DelaRoca DDS will also check your overall health for any trouble spots before or after the hygienist performs the cleaning.

Just because thousands of people are ignoring dental exams and cleanings it does not give you the freedom to adopt the same behavior. Your job is to take proper care of your mouth by following the recommendations made by your dentist and not by adopting popular practices that are being followed by the general public. If you want a healthy smile without any problems and enjoy good overall health you must never ignore dental exams and cleanings but rather be eager to have them conducted on the scheduled date.