During the dental cleaning, the dental professional will remove the plaque — a buildup of bacteria that deposits onto the teeth. To do this, the dental professional will scrape the teeth above and below the gum line with special tools.
The dental professional scrapes the teeth above and below the gum line with special tools to remove plaque buildup.
The dental professional flosses between the teeth to remove any remaining debris and bacteria.
The teeth are polished with a spinning brush and coarse paste to protect against plaque buildup and keep them shiny.
The patient rinses and gargles with mouthwash to complete the cleaning process.
"During the dental cleaning, the dental professional will remove the plaque — a buildup of bacteria that deposits onto the teeth."
The dentist will speak to the patient about their dental history. They may ask the patient about medications and illnesses, or whether they have any allergies, concerns, or anxieties.
"Always be honest with our dental team so they can provide the best care possible."
We check for any signs of inflammation, sores, cuts, or lesions in the mouth.
We examine the gums for signs of recession or other gum health issues.
We look for any signs of cavities or tooth decay that may need treatment.
We check for spaces between gums and teeth that may indicate gum disease.
New patients and those who have not had them done in a while will be asked to have dental X-rays taken of their mouth at their dental checkup. These X-rays are important because they allow dentists to check the roots beneath the gum line, which are otherwise inaccessible.
X-rays allow us to check the roots beneath the gum line that are otherwise inaccessible during routine checkups.
X-rays help detect dental concerns early, before they become more serious problems.
X-rays provide a complete picture of your oral health for better treatment planning.
"These X-rays are important for your dental team to be able to check the roots beneath your gum line, which could otherwise not be seen during a routine checkup."
Our dental team recommends that all patients return to the office for dental checkups at least once every six months. By scheduling regular appointments and cleanings, our dental team will be able to monitor the smile for any signs of concern.
Waiting too long between checkups gives more time for plaque to build up, which may lead to cavities and tooth decay.
Regular cleanings help prevent gum disease and receding gums that can lead to tooth loss.
Regular checkups allow us to catch problems early when they're easier and less expensive to treat.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for optimal oral health.
Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles between teeth that brushing can't reach.
Use mouthwash to help kill bacteria and freshen breath between brushings.
Avoid smoking and other activities detrimental to oral health to maintain a healthy smile.
"To prevent oral health issues between dental checkups, our dental team may make several recommendations for at-home oral care."
The dental cleaning involves removing plaque with special tools, flossing between teeth, polishing with a spinning brush and coarse paste, and finishing with a mouthwash rinse.
The dentist examines for swelling, sores, lesions, gum recession, tooth decay, and dental pockets that may indicate gum disease or other oral health concerns.
X-rays are taken to check the roots beneath the gum line that are otherwise inaccessible during routine checkups, allowing for early detection of dental concerns.
Our dental team recommends dental checkups at least once every six months to monitor oral health and prevent plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease.
Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure where a tooth-colored resin material is applied to teeth to repair chips, cracks, or gaps and improve appearance.
A deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, is a more intensive cleaning procedure that removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line.
Dental sealants are protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent cavities. They are becoming increasingly popular as a preventive measure.
During a dental cleaning, a dental professional will use specialized dental tools to clean the teeth. These tools include a scraping tool that looks like a small metal hook to remove buildup from the surface of the teeth and an electric toothbrush with coarse toothpaste to clean and shine the teeth. Together with a dental mouthwash, a dental cleaning will remove buildup from the teeth and protect them from bacteria.
A dental exam is very similar to a dental checkup. Just like a checkup, a dental professional checks the teeth for any sign of concern and cleans the teeth. The difference is that with a dental exam, the dental professional will also check other areas that may be affected by oral health, like the head and neck. This exam is usually only recommended for new patients.
A dental X-ray is like other X-rays, but this one looks specifically at the mouth. More specifically, this X-ray looks at the roots and areas beneath the gum line where the dental professional otherwise would not be able to see. Dental X-rays are important for checking for signs of disease or other oral health concerns around the roots of the teeth.
Bacteria naturally attach to the surface of the teeth as they are used to eat. While at-home oral care can help to remove much of this bacteria, it is next to impossible to remove all of it without professional dental tools. Waiting too long between dental checkups gives these bacteria time to settle onto the teeth and turn into plaque and tartar. If this buildup is not removed, it could lead to tooth decay or disease over time and create further oral health concerns.
Recommended at-home dental care includes brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Also, dental care professionals suggest patients use a mouthwash that includes fluoride. Patients may be advised to avoid smoking, eating sugary foods, and other activities that are known to be harmful to oral health.
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person's teeth, gums and/or bite.
Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
A dental prophylaxis is a professional and detailed cleaning that involves the removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth.
Dental sealants contain a resinous material that we apply to the chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth to prevent dental caries.
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar and infections in the mouth.
Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.
Tooth enamel is the protective visible outer surface of a tooth that contains the dentin and dental pulp.
Following through with dental checkups is how patients can ensure that their smile stays healthy and free of decay or disease. Our dental team is here to help.