Seeing your dentist for a dental checkup means having a complete oral exam and professional cleaning (often by a hygienist). Your dentist may also provide tips on how to floss or brush properly. This dental visit aims to help keep your teeth and gums in top shape. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare for it. If you want to know what happens with your thorough cleaning during your dental checkup, here are the details.
This is an inspection of the oral cavity. The teeth, gums, and soft tissues of the mouth will go through thorough checking. Examining these parts of the mouth helps spot any lesions, cavities, staining, or mobility. It also gives the dentist or hygienist a map of what areas to focus on during cleaning and treatment during the dental checkup.
The dentist or hygienist will use specific dental tools to reveal the corners and sides of each tooth. This will help detect any abnormalities. Then, the dentist or hygienist may use gloved fingers to check each tooth’s mobility. This will also help check the tenderness of the tooth roots.
This process is important in preventing cavities and gum disease. Here, the dentist or hygienist will use a small mirror and scaler to scrape off plaque and even dental calculus along the gumline. The patient will hear a scraping sound, but this is not painful at all. Teeth that have more tartar will have longer scraping. A dental checkup can remove all the visible tartar. Regular brushing and flossing cannot remove it.
The dentist will use a special instrument that resembles a spinning rubber cup to clean the teeth. This will give off a sound but will not hurt at all. It can remove leftover tartar and plaque.
This polishing paste is healthy to use two to four times each year. You would not want to brush with this normally as this could damage the enamel. A soft-bristled toothbrush is enough for daily brushing without damage.
Flossing at home often leaves many particles behind. Brushing can remove most of the leftover particles. The dentist or hygienist can floss teeth thoroughly. Trouble areas can have the right level of cleaning from professional flossing as well. The dentist or hygienist can remove leftover plaque and tartar with this method during the dental checkup.
This is an important process in teeth cleaning. Rinsing with water flushes out any debris left in the mouth. It also removes leftover polishing paste during the dental checkup.
The dentist will perform this treatment after a thorough dental cleaning is done. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring substance. It can protect the teeth from decay for many months. The dentist or hygienist might ask the patient to choose a flavor.
Then, the dentist or hygienist will paint some fluoride varnish on the patient’s teeth using a tiny brush. The varnish will harden once saliva touches it. The patient can eat and drink right after the dental checkup with a few minor exceptions.
Having a dental checkup and cleaning like this at least two times a year is an ideal practice for most people. Some patients need more frequent professional cleaning. It depends on what the dentist sees in the patient’s mouth. Other exams may go with the professional cleaning as well. Dentists often recommend dental sealants for children. This will prevent cavities in the back teeth.
Dentists use mirrors during any dental checkup. This is an important tool in examining different surfaces inside the oral cavity. It can help see behind teeth and even at the back of the mouth. Dental mirrors can even reflect the overhead light to see inside.
A manual scaler is an efficient cleaning tool for removing plaque and dental calculus. Most dentists use ultrasonic scalers. This tool uses a water spray to rinse the mouth and cool the tip.
Having a dental visit means going through a thorough mouth inspection first. Then, the dentist will perform a complete dental cleaning. A routine dental checkup can keep this treatment consistent. This can help prevent serious dental issues from surfacing.
Are you considering getting a dental checkup in the Tucson area? Get more information at https://www.casasadobesdentistry.com.
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