Dental Exams and Hygiene Maintenance
Preventing Problems Before They Start
The health of your teeth and mouth is very important to the well-being of your entire body, and while routine brushing and flossing at home is necessary to keep your smile looking its best, visiting your dentist for a comprehensive exam and routine hygiene maintenance is essential.
By routinely seeing your dentist for exams and routine hygiene maintenance, you can:
- Prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath
- Save money by avoiding costly and extensive dental procedures
- Keep your teeth white by reducing staining from food and drinks
- Shorten the time spent in your dentist's office
- Have a smile that will last a lifetime
The Exam
During your exam, Dr. Bryan will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other health problems. We will need to take X-rays to see what is happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums. Using digital X-rays, the images provided will help us discover dental issues not visible to the naked eye.
Professional Hygiene Maintenance
Your dental hygienist will begin your hygiene maintenance by exploring the surface of your teeth to determine if you have any cavities and to examine the quality of existing fillings. The dental hygienist will then perform a periodontal exam to make sure your gums adhere tightly to your teeth, and no periodontal disease or bone loss may be occurring.
Next, she will use a polishing compound to remove surface stains, then your hygienist will carefully remove plaque and calculus above and below the gum line of your teeth with a variety of tools. Then your hygienist will floss your teeth and apply fluoride. Hygiene maintenance usually isn't painful, but if you have any anxiety about your dental exam, be sure to let your hygienist know. They may be able to offer options to ensure your comfort. If your dentist or hygienist finds tooth decay or gum disease, they will talk to you about changing your brushing or flossing habits. In severe cases, they may recommend antibiotics or other dental treatments. If your teeth and gums appear to be healthy, your dentist will probably recommend that you continue your brushing and flossing routine as usual.
