Dental Exams and Cleanings Excellent Preventive Healthcare Practices

The fear of the dentist affects everyone. However, for some, it extends even to routine teeth cleanings, which they dread. A regular dental exam is a critical part of preventive healthcare. It would be helpful if everyone understood the requirement of undergoing teeth cleaning every six months to identify any issues in their mouths.

Many people don’t fear teeth cleaning because they have understood the process and are entirely at ease when visiting the Bristol dentist to enjoy the minty fresh results in their mouths longer. If you are due for an appointment with your dentist for a routine checkup, you must also attempt to learn what happens during this process because it will help ease the stress to make it possible for you to enjoy better dental health.

Routine dental exams and cleanings are nothing out of the ordinary because your teeth are cleaned and checked for cavities or gum disease by your dentist or dental hygienist. The exam involves assessing your risk for developing other oral issues and reviewing your face, mouth, and neck for abnormalities. X-rays are also taken once a year, and other diagnostic procedures are also considered.

Why Are Dental Exams and Cleanings Essential?

Regular dental exams don’t merely protect your dental health. They are also beneficial for your overall health. You may not be aware of it, but symptoms of systemic diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes initially make an appearance in your mouth. You are recommended to see your doctor if your dentist or hygienist discovers indications of these diseases.

Dental exams also allow your dentist to provide tips on caring for your teeth and detecting oral health problems early when treating them is comfortable.

How Often Are Dental Exams Necessary?

Adults must schedule dental exams every six months or at intervals determined by their dentist. The American Dental Association as well provides similar recommendations. The exams must continue even when you no longer have any natural teeth in your mouth because they are essential to maintain your oral health and the functionality of your replacement teeth.

What Happens During Dental Exams and Cleanings?

When you schedule an appointment with a dental exam and cleaning in Bristol, CT, to obtain help from this preventive measure, the cleaning begins with a physical examination of your mouth by the dental hygienist. A small mirror helps the hygienist to check around your teeth and gums to identify signs of gingivitis or other dental issues. If any significant problems are detected, the dentist is notified about the same before proceeding with the cleaning.

Removing plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and below the gum line is the next step which the dental hygienist follows. You are likely to hear some scraping sounds, which may intensify if you have extensive plaque and tartar buildup. Tartar buildup results from improper dental hygiene and is challenging to remove merely by brushing and flossing.

After your teeth are free from tartar, the hygienist polishes your teeth with gritty toothpaste making a grinding noise. The polishing is an excellent method to get a deep clean to remove any tartar left behind by the scaler.

The dental hygienist flosses your teeth to give you an expert flossing demonstration. You may not think the demonstration is practical if you are regularly flossing at home, but expert flossing removes any leftover plaque or toothpaste from the earlier processes.

After these procedures, you are asked to rinse your mouth and get rid of any debris remaining. Finally, the hygienist provides fluoride treatment to protect your teeth against cavities for several months.

Dentists also provide oral cancer screening by checking under your jaw, the sides of your neck, and the insides of your lips and cheeks. Oral cancer screening is a preventive method to detect any abnormalities in her mouth that may need further attention.

Results of the Exam

After your exam, your oral health is discussed with you by your dentist and hygienist. They will talk about your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues. They also suggest preventive measures for you to improve and protect your oral health.

The Bristol dentist recommends you return for a follow-up visit if you are at a high risk of tooth decay or gum disease. In such cases, the dentist and hygienist may recommend frequent checkups. Occasionally specialists may conduct some of the dental work you need depending on the complexity of the care recommended by the dentist.