You’ve probably heard the recommendation that you should visit your dentist twice a year for a routine dental exam and cleaning and you may have wondered about the importance of these visits or their purpose. These appointments are actually integral to oral health and can possibly even affect your overall health. At dental care, our goal is to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums, and we hope to see you regularly in order to achieve that.

The Importance Of Exams And Cleanings

If you’re already brushing twice a day and flossing daily – great. You’re doing a good job of regularly removing harmful plaque and food debris from the surface of your teeth. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to reach every surface of your teeth; the spaces in the back, for example, can be particularly difficult to clean properly. Only a dental professional will be able to thoroughly clean all the surfaces of your teeth in order to prevent the development of cavities and gum disease. Additionally, dental exams are opportunities for your dentist to detect signs of oral health problems, which don’t always present obvious symptoms. Recent research has found that oral diseases are linked with other diseases of the body, such as heart disease, and finding a problem in the mouth can prevent or point to problems in other areas of the body.

Dental Exam

During your dental oral exam, your dentist will perform a thorough evaluation of the health of your teeth, gums, and mouth overall. He or she will check for signs of cavities and the development of gum disease. X-rays are usually taken once a year during this part of your appointment.

Dental Cleaning

The dental cleaning is usually performed by a hygienist. First, you will have plaque and tartar removed from your teeth. Special dental tools such as a scaler are used for this step to ensure that all areas of the teeth surfaces are taken care of, such as in between the teeth. Your hygienist will then brush your teeth with a high-powered electric toothbrush and special toothpaste that gently scrubs and polishes the teeth. You will also have your teeth flossed before rinsing out your mouth to get rid of any remaining traces of debris.

In order to achieve the best oral health you can, be sure to visit us at Impression Dental Care at least every six months for a cleaning and exam in Huntington Beach.