Are Routine Dental Exams and Cleanings Important?

Are Routine Dental Exams and Cleanings Important?

Dec 01, 2021

Good at-home dental care, along with routine dental cleanings and exams, can come in handy when it comes to maintaining and enhancing your smile.

While some people don’t realize they need regular dental exams and cleanings. According to experts, you should have at least two visits to your dentist for professional exams and cleanings. If you have an existing oral problem or are at a higher risk of developing dental issues, visiting your dentist sooner may be necessary. This article sheds more light on how routine exams and cleanings can benefit you and your loved ones.

Why Dental Exams and Cleanings Are Beneficial

  • It Helps Remove Plaque and Tartar

Even with good at-home dental hygiene, plaque can still hide along with the gum line and between teeth, especially the back teeth. When plaque isn’t eliminated it hardens to form tartar, a brown deposit that firmly attaches to the tooth. Even with thorough brushing and flossing tartar can’t be removed without professional help.

Tartar and plaque build-up encourages the growth of the bacteria in the mouth, making your mouth vulnerable to cavities and gum disease. With regular dental cleanings, your dentist or oral hygienist removes any plaque, tartar, and bacteria build-up in the mouth, improving your breath and maintaining your oral health.

  • Brightens Your Smile

During a routine dental cleaning, the dentist thoroughly cleans and flosses your teeth to remove plaque and tartar. The teeth are then polished to remove stubborn stains, yellowing, or discoloration. If this doesn’t work, the dentist can perform professional teeth whitening, giving you a brighter, natural, and youthful smile.

  • Early Detection and Treatment of Oral Problems

During a routine dental cleaning and exam, your dentist is likely to notice any abnormalities or symptoms of oral conditions such as cavities, oral cancer, and gum disease. This makes routine exams very important to maintain good oral health.

The earlier oral issues are identified, the higher the chance of effective, affordable, and successful treatment. In contrast, when oral problems such as oral cancer are diagnosed in the late stages, it often leads to severe discomfort and could even be life-threatening.

  • Maintain Excellent Oral and Overall Well-Being

The primary goal of routine exams and cleanings is to prevent oral conditions and enhance good oral and overall health. The risk of developing dental issues is significantly reduced by removing plaque, bacteria, and tartar buildup in the mouth. Some dentists can also offer preventive treatments such as dental sealants and fluoride applications.

Good oral hygiene is also essential in safeguarding your overall well-being. Poor dental hygiene and health can increase your risk of developing health-related complications such as diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases.

The Professional Cleaning Procedure

Dental cleaning procedures are pretty straightforward procedures. This entails:

  • Oral Examination

A dental hygienist begins by thoroughly examining your mouth. The dentist uses a mirror to inspect your gums, teeth, and other mouthparts for signs of inflammation, decay, and other dental conditions. If any issue is detected, the dentist will address the problem accordingly.

  • Brushing and Flossing

The dentist uses a dental scaler and a mirror to remove any plaque and tartar around the gum line and teeth. If gum disease has already developed, scaling and root planing may be necessary. The teeth are then cleaned, flossed, and rinsed to remove any remaining debris.

  • Teeth Polishing

After removing all the build-up, the dentist polishes up the teeth to remove any stubborn stains and discoloration from the teeth. If necessary, professional teeth cleaning may be performed to brighten the teeth further.

  • Preventive Dentistry

If necessary, the dentist may perform preventive dental care. For instance, applying dental sealants to lessen the risk of plaque and tartar buildup.

This reduces the risk of developing cavities and gum disease. Fluoride treatment is also essential in strengthening and protecting the teeth against cavities.

  • Final Checkup

After the cleaning process, the dentist performs a final exam. If no problems are detected, you’ll be ready to go home.

Schedule an Appointment

Are you ready to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning? Contact Claremont Dental Group to book your appointment today.

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