Dental Exams and Cleaning

As everyone knows, oral health is essential to the well-being of your entire body. Routine brushing and flossing at home are necessary to maintain your teeth and gum health and make your smile look its best. However, this is not enough. It is essential to visit your dentist for a comprehensive exam and cleaning at regular intervals. As per the American Dental Association, visit your dentist every six months to ensure your teeth stay healthy and strong.

Importance of Dental Exams and Cleanings

Regular dental exams and professional teeth cleaning are the keystone of preventive dentistry and aim to minimize or avoid oral health issues.

Routine dental check-ups and cleanings are crucial to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Besides, examining and monitoring your dental health can detect existing issues and treat them before getting worse. Making sure your dental health stays in good condition so that you can avoid costly dental procedures later.

By routinely visiting your dentist for dental exams and cleanings, you can have the following benefits:

• Prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
• Prevent bad breath.
• Save money by avoiding costly and extensive dental procedures.
• It helps keep your teeth white by reducing staining and discoloration. 
• Shorten the time spent in your dentist's office

Benefits of Dental Exams

Your dentist will examine your mouth and look for any signs of tooth decay and resulting cavities. The dentist will also check for the buildup of plaque and tartar, which can lead to gum disease.

Dental check-ups can point to many other issues, including:

• Oral cancer:Cancers of the mouth or throat are usually diagnosed by dentists during routine check-ups.  If detected during the early stages, the survival rate for cancer is good. 
• Gum disease:Gum disease is one major reason for tooth loss in many adults. Dental exams can help detect and treat gum disease early. 
• Multiple medical conditions:During the routine dental exams, your dentist will check whether you have bad breath (halitosis), which can result from various issues, including a yeast infection of the mouth, lung problems, or diabetes.

Your dentist may also take X-rays to examine your mouth beneath the surface of your teeth and gums. 

Benefits of Dental Cleanings

Professional teeth cleaning (oral prophylaxis) will help eliminate the accumulation of bacteria, plaque, and tartar, which can develop even if you follow proper oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing.

Your dental exam includes removing these deposits using special tools.  If plaque hardens into tartar, it can only be removed by a dental professional. Your dental cleaning also comprises cleaning between your teeth and polishing to eliminate stains. If you have a buildup of plaque beneath the gum line, your dentist or dental hygienist will use a technique called scaling to fix the problem. Thus, professional cleanings help prevent tooth decay, cavities, tooth loss, and gum disease while helping you have fresher breath and a brighter smile.

Various researches have established the connection between oral health and overall well-being. Dental cleanings can reduce the risk of lung diseases, cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.