Are Dental Exams and Cleanings Necessary for Oral Health?
Routine dental assessments and cleanings are a major part of preventive dental care. Even with thorough at-home dental hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing, your mouth can still be in danger of bacteria and plaque buildup. Routine dental exams and cleanings keep your teeth and gums healthy by eliminating the plaque and bacteria buildup in the mouth. The dentist is also likely to detect any dental issues early when treatment is most successful.
A routine dental exam and cleaning is a standard procedure that can be completed in a single appointment at a dental office near you. Dental experts recommend at least two dental exams and cleanings per year. More frequent assessments and cleanings are important if you have existing dental problems or are at a higher risk of developing dental issues.
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning and Exam?
During the exam, the dentist begins by learning about your medical history. They might ask you about any recent concerns, existing conditions, or medications. Next, the dentist examines your mouth to check for signs of dental problems such as gum disease, infections, and cavities. Then, the dentist or hygienist will clean your teeth and mouth thoroughly, eliminating any plaque, tartar, and bacteria buildup in the mouth. Once the teeth are cleaned, the dentist polishes and smoothens the teeth.
Next, the dentist thoroughly examines the face, neck, tongue, jaw, lips, palate, teeth, and mouth. If necessary, the dentist can perform x-rays, an oral cancer screening, and other tests to evaluate your oral condition. The dentist will create an appropriate treatment plan if a problem is identified. Lastly, the dentist will discuss your results and advise you on your diet, oral hygiene habits, and important tips to maintain excellent oral health.
Must You Have Routine Dental Exams and Cleanings?
If you skip your regular dental cleanings and exams, your oral and overall health will be affected. For instance, if bacteria and plaque build up in the mouth, you will likely develop cavities and gum disease. Dental cleanings help eliminate any bacteria or tartar trapped in the mouth that you can’t remove with normal brushing and flossing.
Besides, routine exams help dentists spot common dental issues such as cavities early. Catching these issues now allows the dentist to address them before they worsen and require advanced treatments like root canals and dental crowns. Advanced oral issues can cause severe discomfort, infections, teeth loss, or death. Most dental problems might not show significant symptoms until they have developed to worse stages.
Benefits of Regular Dental Exams and Cleanings
There are numerous benefits to having routine dental exams and cleanings. These include:
- Preventing oral problems
As part of preventive dentistry, routine exams and cleanings are essential to maintain excellent oral health. It focuses on cleaning your mouth and getting rid of bacteria and plaque, which can otherwise lead to cavities, oral infections, and gum disease.
- Detecting oral conditions early
During the dental exam, the dentist will likely notice any abnormalities in your oral health. If any problem is detected, the dentist can provide the appropriate treatment, preventing them from progressing to worse stages.
- A brighter smile
During the cleaning process, the dentist scrapes off any tartar and plaque on the surfaces of the teeth. The teeth are then polished to give them a brighter look, enhancing your smile.
- Maintain
s good overal
- l health
Good oral hygiene impacts not only your mouth but your overall well-being as well. Health conditions such as diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and heart disease can be affected by your oral health and hygiene.
What To Do Between Dental Visits
Apart from routine dental exams and cleanings, be sure to care for your gums, teeth, and mouth at home. Use these tips:
- – Floss daily
- – Brush at least twice daily
- – Use a fluoride-based toothpaste
- – Eat healthier and hydrate well
- – Avoid or limit acidic, sugary, and hard foods
- – Avoid tobacco products
Schedule an Appointment Today
Are you interested in dental exams & cleanings near you, or would you like to learn more about dental exams in Dublin? Contact daily DENTAL & bracesbar for more information.