What are Dental Cleanings and Exams?
Dental cleanings and exams are essential for maintaining a healthy mouth. During a dental exam, our dentist will check for any signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues. Professional dental cleanings involve removing plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and gum line. These regular dental cleanings help to prevent periodontal disease and keep your teeth and gums healthy. The American Dental Association recommends having dental cleanings and exams twice a year.
Dental cleanings and exams are not just about keeping your teeth clean; they are vital for detecting potential problems early. By catching issues like tooth decay or gum disease early, we can prevent more severe problems down the line. Our thorough preventive exams also include oral cancer screenings to ensure your complete oral health. Regular visits to Maple Park Dental Care help maintain existing tooth restorations and keep your smile looking its best.
Types of Dental Cleanings and Exams
At Maple Park Dental Care we offer different types of dental cleanings and exams to suit your needs. Each is designed to cover different areas of your oral health.
Routine Dental Cleanings (Prophylaxis)
For patients with healthy gums. Our hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth and along the gum line and then polish your teeth to give you a shiny smile.
Deep Cleanings (Scaling and Root Planing)
For patients with gum disease. Deep cleanings are required. This involves cleaning below the gum line and smoothing out the tooth and root surfaces to remove bacteria and promote healing.
Periodontal Maintenance Cleanings
After periodontal treatment, these cleanings are necessary to prevent gum disease from coming back. More frequent visits and targeted cleaning techniques.
Oral Cancer Screenings
As part of our comprehensive dental exams, these screenings help detect early signs of oral cancer, significantly improving treatment outcomes.
Benefits of Dental Cleanings and Exams
Cleanings and exams have benefits beyond a pretty smile. They are essential for your overall health and well-being.
- Tooth Decay Prevention: Cleanings remove plaque and tartar that can cause cavities. By catching tooth decay early we can prevent bigger problems.
- Gum Disease Detection: Gum disease can sneak up on you. Exams help detect early signs of gum disease so we can treat it before it gets worse.
- Oral Cancer Detection: Our thorough exams include oral cancer screenings which can detect cancer early and improve treatment outcomes.
- Healthy Teeth and Gums: Professional cleanings and exams keep your teeth and gums healthy, reducing the risk of tooth loss and other complications.
- Enhancing Overall Health: Oral health is connected to overall health. By keeping your mouth healthy you can reduce the risk of other health issues like heart disease and diabetes.
Dental Cleaning Procedure at Maple Park Dental Care
Regular dental cleanings and exams are crucial for good oral health. At Maple Park Dental Care we do comprehensive dental cleanings and exams to get your teeth and gums in top shape. Here’s what to expect:
- Initial Examination: Our dentist will start with a thorough exam of your teeth and gums. This includes looking for tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues.
- Plaque and Tartar Removal: Our hygienist will use special tools to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, above and below the gum line.
- Teeth Polishing: After the cleaning, your teeth will be polished to remove surface stains and give you a sparkling smile.
- Fluoride Treatment: A fluoride treatment may be applied to strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities.
- VELScope Oral Cancer Screening: As part of our comprehensive exams we will do a VELScope oral cancer screening to check for any signs of cancer.
- Review and Recommendations: Finally our dentist will review with you and give you recommendations for optimal oral health.