With all of the activities going on during the school year, it can be hard to find time to take the family (and yourself) to the dentist for their semiannual dental exam and cleaning. That’s why summer is the perfect time to make an appointment! These visits are very important to your oral health as they not only keep your mouth clean but help dentists stay on the lookout for potential dental issues.
A dental appointment usually starts with an in-depth exam where such technology as digital imaging and intraoral cameras are used to look for the earliest stages of issues such as cavities, oral cancer, dry mouth, and gum disease. Not only are the teeth looked at, but the gums as well. If any issues are detected, your dentist will discuss them with you after your cleaning, along with treatment options.
Following the dental exam, your teeth and gums will be thoroughly cleaned, usually by a dental hygienist. This starts with the removal of plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth and along the gum line. The hygienist will then give your teeth a professional brushing. The toothpaste used at a dentist’s office is grittier inconsistency, enabling it to scrub and polish the surface of the teeth, removing any remaining traces of tartar. The last part of a dental cleaning is professional flossing, which, in addition to removing any remaining debris, can alert the hygienist to any problem areas where bleeding is observed.
To keep your teeth and gums healthy in between visits to the dentist, make sure that you are doing the following at home:
In between all your other activities, make sure to take the time to schedule an appointment at your dentist’s office this summer.