To help patients and their family maintain good oral health, we want to see them every six months. When they visit for a checkup and cleaning, we can examine the smile and identify any issues that need attention. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about the benefits of our dental checkups.
Why People Need Dental Exams
You and your family need to have a dental exam every six months so we can keep an eye on your smile. The issues that could threaten your smile, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and bruxism (teeth grinding) don’t develop overnight. A visit every few months is a chance to catch these issues early and offer holistic treatment for them. Visits should start at around age two, so that means everyone benefits from a six month exam, and we hope you will schedule your appointment soon!
The Dental Checkup Process
During your exam, we will ask you about your oral hygiene habits and any possible symptoms you have been experiencing. We will then take a close look at your smile with advanced imaging technologies, such as digital x-rays and intraoral cameras. These provide high-definition images instantly chairside and use a fraction of the radiation that traditional x-rays require. Our team will examine the teeth, roots, gums, jaw, and oral structures for possible signs of trouble. If we discover an issue, we can create a custom treatment plan to address it and bring relief. Often, we can take on issues like decay and infection with our metal-free restorations.
Cleaning Your Teeth
In the same sitting, we will also conduct a detailed dental cleaning. With this procedure, we will use an ultrasonic scaling device, which emits gentle vibrations, to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. We then use a manual pick for any stubborn portions of tartar. By removing this harmful buildup, we help lower the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, as well as bad breath and teeth stains. If you have the warning signs of gingivitis or gum disease, we could conduct a periodontal cleaning to remove buildup from both the teeth and the roots, also known as a scaling and root planing.
If you have any questions about how we protect smiles with an exam and cleaning, or if you want to schedule a visit for you and your family, then contact our team today to learn more.
Your Lake Orion, MI, Dentist Talks About Preventive Dentistry
We want to help you enjoy good oral health, and that starts with a routine visit every six months. For more information on preventive dentistry and keeping your smile healthy and beautiful, then call Lake Orion Family Dentistry at (248)693-6213!
